J.    FENIMORE   COOPER. 


THE  PIONEERS 


OR 


THE    SOURCES     OF    THE    SUSQUEHANNA 


BY 

J.    FENIMORE    COOPER, 

AUTHOR  OF 

*  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS,"  "J  THE  PATHFINDER,"  *  TBR 
DEERSLAYER,"  AND  "THE  PRAIRIE." 


"  Extremes  of  habits,  manners,  time  ana  space, 
Brought  close  together,  here  stood  face  to  face, 
And  gave  at  once  a  contrast  to  the  view, 
That  other  lands  and  ages  never  knew." 


NEW  YORK: 
THE  F.  M.  LUPTON  PUBLISHING  COMPANY^ 


INTRODUCTION. 


As  this  work  professes^  in  its  title-page,  to  be  a  descriptive  tale, 
they  who  will  take  the  trouble  to  read  it  may  be  glad  to  know 
how  much  of  5  te  contents  is  literal  fact,  and  how  much  is  intended 
to  represent  a  general  picture.  The  author  is  very  sensible  that, 
had  he  confined  himself  to  the  latter,  always  the  most  effective. 
as  it  is*  the  most  valuable,  mode  of  conveying  knowledge  of  this 
nature,  he  would  have  made  a  far  better  book.  But  in  com- 
mencing to  describe  scenes,  and,  perhaps,  he  may  add,  characters, 
that  were  so  familiar  to  his  own  youth,  there  was  a  constant 
temptation  to  delineate  that  which  lie  had  known,  rather  than 
that  which  he  might  have  imagined.  This  rigid  adhesion  to 
truth,  an  indispensable  requisite  in  history  and  travels,  destroys 
.he  charm  of  fiction ;  for  all  that  is  necessary  to  be  conveyed 
to  the  mind  by  the  latter  had  better  be  done  by  delineations 
of  principles,  and  of  characters  in  their  classes,  than  by  a  too 
fastidious  attention  to  originals. 

New  York  having  but  one  county  ot  Otsego,  and  the  Susque- 
hanna  but  one  proper  source,  there  can  be  no  mistake  as  to  the 
site  of  the  tale.  The  history  of  this  district  of  country,  so  far  as 
it  is  connected  with  civilized  man,  is  soon  told. 

Otsego,  in  common  with  most  of  the  interior  of  the  province  of 
New  York,  was  included  in  the  county  of  Albany,  previously  to 
the  war  of  the  separation.    It  then  became,  in  a  subsequen 
division  of  territory,  a  part  of  Montgomery ;  and,  finally,  having 


viil  INTRODUCTION. 

obtained  a  sufficient  population  of  its  own,  it  was  set  apart  as  n 
county  by  itself  shortly  after  the  peace  of  1783.  It  lie's  among 
those  low  spurs  of  the  Alleganies  which  cover  the  midland 
counties  of  New  York  3  and  it  is  rather  east  of  a  meridional  line 
drawn  through  the  centre  of  the  State.  As  the  waters  of  New 
York  either  flow  southerly  into  the  Atlantic,  or  northerly  into 
Ontario  and  its  outlet,  Otsego  Lake,  being  the  source  of  the 
Susquehanna,  is  of  necessity  among  its  highest  lands.  The  face 
of  the  country ;  the  climate"  as  it  was 'found  by  the  whites ;  and 
the  manners  of  the  settlers,  are  described  with  a  minuteness  for 
which  the  author  has  no  other  apology  than  the  force  of  his  own 
recollections. 

Otsego  is  said  to  be  a  word  compounded' Of  Ot,  a  place  of 
meetingj  and  Sego,  or  Sago,  the  ordinary  term  of  salutation  used 
by  the  Indians  of  this  region.  There  is  a  tradition  which  says 
that  the  neighbouring  tribes  were  accustomed  to  meet  on  the 
banks  of  the  lake  to  make>  their  treaties,  and  otherwise  to 
strengthen  their  alliances,  and  which  refers  the  name  to  this 
practice.  As  .the  Indian  agent  of  New  York  had  a  log  dwelling 
at  the  foot  of  the  lake,  however,  it  is  not  impossible  that  the 
appellation  gr»w  out  of  the  meetings  that  were  held  at  his 
council  fires :  the  war  drove  off  the  agent,  in  common  with  the 
other  officers  of  the  crown ;  and  his  rude  dwelling  was  soon 
abandoned.  The  author  remembers -it  a  few  years  later,  reduced 
to  the  humble  office  of  a  smoke-house. 

In  1779  an  expedition  was  sent  against  the  hostile  Indians 
who  dwelt,  about  a  hundred  miles  west  of  Otsego,  on  the  banks 
of  the  Cayuga.  The  whole  country  was  then  a  wilderness,  and  it 
was  necessary  to  transport  the  baggage  of  the  troops  by  means 
of  the  rivers — a  devious  but  practicable}  route.  One  brigade 
ascended  the  Mohawk,  until  it  reached  the  point  nearest  to  the 
sources  of  the  S<u«quehanna ;  whence  it  cut  a  lane  through  the 
forest  to  the  head  of  the  Otsego.  The  boats  and  baggage  were 
carried  over  this  "  portage,"  and  the  troops  proceeded  to  the  other 
extremity  of  the  lake,  where  they  disembarked,  and  encamped. 


INTRODUCTION.  it 

Th«  Susquehanna,  a  narrow  though  rapid  stream  at  its  source, 
wa*  much  filled  with  "flood  wood,"  or  fallen  trees;  and  the 
troops  adopted  a  novel  expedient  to  facilitate  their  passage.  The 
Otaego  is  about  nine  miles  in  length,  varying  in  breadth  from 
half  a  mile  to  a  mile  and  a  half.  The  water  is  of  great  depth, 
limpid,  and  supplied  from  a  thousand  springs.  At  its  foot,  the 
banks  are  rather  less  than  thirty  feet  high  ;  the  remainder  of  its 
margin  being  in  mountains,  intervals,  and  points.  The  outlet,  or 
the  Susquehanna,  flows  through  a  gorge  in  the  low  banks  just 
mentioned,  which  may  have  a  width  of  two  hundred  feet.  This 
gorge  was  dammed,  and  the  waters  of  the  lake  collected :  the 
Susquehanna  was  converted  into  a  uilL  When  all  was  ready,  the 
troops  embarked,  the  dam  was  knocked  away,  the  Otsego  poured 
out  ita  torrent^  and  the  boats  went  merrily  down  with  the 
current. 

General  James  Clinton,  the  brother  of  George  Clinton,  then 
governor  of  New  York,  and  the  father  of  De  Witt  Clinton,  who 
died  governor  of  the  same  State  in  1827,  commanded  the  brigade 
employed  in  this  duty.  During  the  stay  of  the  troops  at  the  foot 
of  the  Otsego  a  soldier  was  shot  for  desertion.  The  grave  of  this 
unfortunate  man  was  the  first  place  of  human  interment  that  the 
author  ever  beheld,  as  the  smoke-house  was 'the  first  ruin  t  The 
swivel  alluded  to  in  this  work  was  buried  and  abandoned  by 
the  troops  on  this  occasion ;  and  it  was  subsequently  found  in 
digging  the  cellars  of  the  author's  paternal  residence. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  war,  "Washington,  accompanied  by 
many  distinguished  men,  visited  the  scene  of  this  tale,  it  is  said, 
with  a  view  to  examine  the  facilities  of  opening  a  communication 
by  water  with  other  points  of  the  country.  He  stayed  but  a  few 
hours. 

In  1785  the  author's  lather,  who  had  an  interest  in  extensive 
tracts  of  land  in  this  wilderness,  arrived  with  a  party  of  surveyors. 
The  manner  in  which  the  scene  met  his  eye  is  described  by 
Judge  Temple.  At  the  commencement  of  the  following  year  the 
settlement  began ;  and  from  that  time  to  this  the  country  has 


r  INTRODUCTION. 

continued  to  flourish.  It  is  a  singular  feature  in  American  life, 
that  when,  at  the  beginning  of  this  century,  the  proprietor  of  the 
estate  had  occasion  for  settlers  on  a  new  settlement,  and  in  a 
remote  county,  he  was  enabled  to  draw  them  from  among  the 
increase  of  the  former  colony. 

Although  the  settlement  of  this  part  of  Otsego  a  little  preceded 
the  birth  of  the  author,  it  was  not  sufficiently  advanced  to  render 
it  desirable  that  that  event,  so  important  to  himself,  should  take 
place  .in  the  wilderness.  Perhaps  his  mother  had  a  reasonable 
distrust  of  the  practice  of  Dr.  Todd,  who  must  then  have  been  in 
the  novitiate  of  his  experimental  acquirements.  Be  that  as  it 
may,  the  author  was  brought  an  infant  into  this  valley,  and  all 
his  first  impressions  were  here  obtained.  He  has  inhabited  it  at 
intervals  in  later  life ;  and  he  thinks  he  can  answer  for  the 
faithfulness  of  the  picture  he  has  drawn. 

Otsego  has  now  become  one  of  the  most  populous  districts  of 
New  York.  It  sends  forth  its  emigrants  like  any  other  old 
region;  and  it  is  pregnant  with  industry  and  enterprise.  Its 
manufactures  are  prosperous ;  and  it  is  worthy  of  remark  that 
one  of  the  most  ingenious  machines  known  in  European  art 
is  derived  from  the  keen  ingenuity  which  is  exercised  in  this 
remote  region. 

In  order  to  prevent  mistake,  it  may  be  well  to  say  that  the 
incidents  of  this  tale  are  purely  a  fiction.  The  literal  facts  are 
chiefly  connected  with  the  natural  and  artificial  objects  and  the 
customs  of  the  inhabitants.  Thus  the  academy,  and  court-house, 
and  gaol,  and  inn,  and  most  similar  things,  are  exact.  They 
have  all  long  since  given  place  to  other  buildings  of  a  more 
pretending  character.  There  is  also  some  liberty  taken  with  the 
fruth  in  the  description  of  the  mansion-house  :  the  real  building 
had  no  "firstly"  and  "lastly."  It  was  of  bricks,  and  not  of 
stone ;  and  its  roof  exhibited  none  of  the  peculiar  beauties  of 
t3'.e  ''composite  order."  It  was  erected  in  an  age  too  primitive 
lor  ,ttr<t  ambitious  school  of  architecture.  But  the  author  in- 
£u!ged  his  recollections  freely  when  he  had  fairly  entered  the 


INTRODUCTION  «  xi 

door.  Here  all  is  literal,  even  to  the  severed  arm  of  Wolfe,  and 
the  urn  which  held  the  ashes  of  Queen  Dido.1 

The  author  has  elsewhere  said  that  the  character  of  the 
Leather-stocking  is  a  creation,  rendered  probable  by  such  auxili- 
aries as  were  necessary  to  produce  that  effect.  Had  he  drawn 
still  more  upon  fancy,  the  lovers  of  fiction  would  not  have  so 
much  cause  for  their  objections  to  his  work.  Still  the  picture 
would  not  have  been  in  the  least  true  without  some  substitutes 
for  most  of  the  other  personages.  The  great  proprietor  resident 
on  his  lands,  and  giving  his  name  to,  instead  of  receiving  it  from 
his  estates,  as  in  Europe,  is  common  over  the  whole  of  New 
York.  The  physician  with  his  theory,  rather  obtained  than 
corrected  by  experiments  on  the  human  constitution ;  "the 
pious,  self-denying,  laborious,  and  ill-paid  missionary ;  the  half- 
educated,  litigious,  envious,  and  disreputable  lawyer,  with  his 
counterpoise,  a  brother  of  the  profession,  of  better  origin  and  of 
better  character ;  the  shiftless,  bargaining,  discontented  seller  of 
his  ''betterments;"  the  plausible  carpenter,  and  most  of  the 
others,  are  more  familiar  to  all  who  have  ever  dwelt  in  a  new 
country. 

From  circumstances  irhich,  after  this  introduction,  will  be 
obvious  to  all,  the  author  has  had  more  pleasure  in  writing  The 
Pioneers  than  it  will  probably  ever  give  any  of  its  readers.  He 
is  quite  aware  of  its  numerous  faults ;  some  of  which  he  has 
endeavoured  to  repair  in  this  edition :  but  as  he  has — in  inten- 
tion at  least — done  his  full  share  in  amusing  the  world,  he  trusti 
to  its  good  nature  for  overlooking  this  attempt  to  please  himself- 

PABIS,  March  1832. 

i  Though  forests  still  crown  the  mountains  of  Otsego,  the  hear,  the  wolf,  and  th« 
panther  are  nearly  strangers  to  them.  Even  the  innocent  deer  is  rarely  seen 
bounding  beneath  their  arches ;  for  the  rifle  and  the  activity  of  the  settlers  have 
'Iriven  them  to  other  haunts.  To  this  change  (which,  in  some  particulars,  is 
melancholy  to  one  who  knew  the  country  in  its  Infancy)  It  may  be  added  that  the 
Otsego  Is  beginning  to  be  a  niggard  of  Its  treasures. 


THE    PIONEERS? 

OR, 

THE  SOURCES  OF  THE  SUSQUEHANNA. 
CHAPTER  L 

See  Winter  comes,  to  rale  the  vantd  year, 
Sullen,  and  sad,  with  all  his  rising  train ; 
Vapours,  and  clouds,  ana  stonus.  THOMSON. 

NEAR  the  centre  of  the  State  of  New  York  lies  an  extensive  dis- 
trict of  country,  whose  surface  is  a  succession  of  hills  and  dales, 
or,  to  speak  with  greater  deference  to  geographical  definitions,  of 
mountains  and  vafieys.  It  is  among  these  hills  that  th«  Delaware 
takes  its  rWe ;  and  flowing  from  the  limpid  lakes  and  thousand 
springs  of  this  region,  the  numerous  sources  of  the  "Susquehanna 
meander  through  the  valleys,  until,  uniting  their  streams,  they 
form  one  of  the  proudest  rivers  of  the  United  States.  The 
mountains  are  generally  arable  to  the  tops,  although  instances 
are  not  wanting  where  the  sides  are  jutted  with  recks,  that  aid 
greatly  in  giving  to  the  country  that  romantic  and  picturesque 
character  which  it  so  eminently  possesses.  The  vales  are  narrow, 
rich,  and  cultivated  ;  with  a  stream  uniformly  winding  through 
each.  Beautiful  and  thriving  villages  are  found  interspersed 
along  the  margins  of  the  small  lakes,  or  situated  at  those  points 
ot  the  streams  which  are  favourable  to  manufacturing ;  and  neat 
and  comfortable  farms,  with  every  indication  of  wealth  about 
them,  are  scattered  profusely  through  the  vales,  and  even  to  the 
mountain-tops.  Roads  diverge  in  evejy  directiou^from  the  even 
and  graceful  bottoms  of  the  valleys,  to  the  most  rugged  and 
intricate  passes  of  the  hills.  Academies,  and  minor  edifices  of 
learning,  meet  the  eye  of.  the  stranger,  j&  every  few  miles,  eata 
winds  las  way  through  this  uneven  territory ;  and  places  for  the 


o  THE  PIONEERS. 

worship  of  God  abound  with  that  frequency  which  characterizes 
a  moral  and  reflecting  people,  and  with  that  variety  of  exterior 
and  canonical  government  which  flows  from  unfettered  liberty 
of  conscience,  in  short,  the  whole  district  is  hourly  exhibiting 
how  much  can  be  done,  in  even  a  rugged  country,  and  with  a 
severe  climate,  under  the  dominion  of  mild  laws,  and  where 
every  nvn  feels  a  direct  interest  in  the  prosperity  of  a  common- 
wealth,  of  which  he  knows  himself  to  form  a  part.  The  expedi- 
ents of  the  pioneers  who  first  broke  ground  in  the  settlement 
of  this  country,  are  succeeded  by  the  permanent  improvements 
of  the  yeoman,  who  intends  to  leave  his  remains  to  moulder 
under  the  sod  which  he  tills,  cr  perhaps  of  the  son,  who,  born 
in  the  land,  piously  wishes  to  linger  around  the  grave  of  his 
father.  Only  forty  years l  have  passed  since  this  territory  was 
H,  wilderness.' 

Very  soon  after  the  establishment  of  the  independence  of  the 
States,  by  the  peace  of  1783,  the  enterprise  of  their  citizens  was 
directed  to  a  development  of  the  natural  advantages  of  their 
•widely  extended  dominions.  Before  the  war  of  the  devolution, 
the  inhabited  parts  of  the  colony  of  New  York  were  limited  to 
lesa  than  a  tenth  of  its  possessions.  A  narrow  belt  of  country, 
extending  for  a  short  distance  on  either  side  of  the  Hudson,  with 
a  similar  occupation  of  fifty  miles  on  the  banks  of  the  Mohawk, 
together  with  the  islands  of  Nassau  and  Staten,  and  a  few  insu- 
lated settlements  on  chosen  land  along  the  margins  of  streams, 
composed  the  country^  which  was  then  inhabited  by  less  than 
two  nundred  thousand  souls.  Within  the  short  period  we  have 
mentioned,  the  population  has  spread  itself  over  five  degrees 
of  latitude  and  seven  of  longitude,  and  has  swelled  to  a  million 
and  a  half  of  inhabitants,9  who  are  maintained  in  abundance,  and 
can  l»ok  forward  to  ages  before  the  evil  day  must  arrive  when 
their  possessions  shall  become  unequal  to  their  wants. 

Our  tale  begins  in  1793,  about  seven  years  after  the  commence- 
ment of  one  of  the  earliest  of  those  settlements,  which  have  con- 
duced to  effect  that  magical  change  in  the  power  and  condition 
of  the  State  to  which  we  have  alluded. 

It  was  near  the  setting  of  the  sun,  on  a  clear,  cold  day  in 
December,  when  a  sleigh  "was  moving  slowly  up  one  of  the 
mountains,  in  the  district  we  have  described.  The  day  had  been 
fine  for  the  season,  and  but  two  or  three  large  clouds,  whose 
colour  seemed  brightened  by  the  light  reflected  from  the  mass  ol 
snow  that  covered  the  earth,  floated  in  a  sky  of  the  purest  blue. 
The  road  wound  along  the  brow  of  a  precipice,  and  on  one  side 
was  upheld  by  a  foundation  of  logs,  piled  one  upon  the  other, 
while  a  narrow  excavation  in  the  mountain,  in  the  opposite 

»  The  bOflfc/was  written  in  1838. 

»  Th«  population  of  New  York  la  now  (1P.31)  quite  2,000,000. 


THE  PIONEERS.  3 

direction,  bad  made  a  passage  of  sufficient  width  for  the  ordinary 
travelling  of  that  day.  But  logs,  excavation,  and  everything' 
that  .did  not  reach  several  feet  above  the  earth,  lay  alike  buried 
beneath  the  snow.  A  single  track,  barely  wide  enough  to  receive 
the  sleigh,1  denoted  the  route  of  the  highway,  and  this  was 
sunken  near  two  feet  below  the  surrounding  surface.  In  the 
vale,  which  lay  at  a  distance  of  several  hund/ed  feet  lower,  there 
was  what  in  the  language  of  the  country  was  called  a  clearing, 
and  all  the  usual  improvements  of  a  new  settlement ;  these  even 
extended  up  the  hill  to  the  point  where  the  road  turned  short 
and  ran  across  the  level  land,  which  lay  on  the  summit  of  the 
mountain ;  but  the  summit  itself  remained  in  forest.  There 
was  a  glittering  in  the  atmosphere,  as  if  it  were  filled  with 
innumerable  shining  particles,  and  the  noble  bay  horses  that 
drew^the  sleigh  were  covered,  in  many  parts,  with  a  coat  of  hoar 
frost.  The  vapour  from  their  nostrils  was  seen  to  issue  lik« 
smoke ;  and  every  object  in  the  view,  as  well  as  every  arrange- 
ment of  the  travellers,  denoted  the  depth  of  a  winter  in  the 
mountains.  The  harness,  which  was  of  a  deep  dull  black, 
differing  from  the  glossy  varnishing  of  the  present  day,  was 
ornamented  with  enormous  plates  and  buckles  of  brass,  thaf; 
shone  like  gold  in  those  transient  beams  of  the  sun,  which  found 
their  way  obliquely  through  the  tops  of  the  trees.  Huge  saddles, 
studded  with  nails,  and  fitted  with  cloth  that  served  as  b? 
to  the  shoulders  of  the  cattle,  supported  four  high,  square- topped 
turrets,  through  which  the  stout  reins  led  from  the  moutlis  of 
the  horses  to  the  hands  of  the  driver,  who  was  a  negro,  of 
apparently  twenty  years  of  age.  His  face,  which  nature  had 
coloured  with  a  glistening  black,  was  now  mottled  with  the  cold, 
and  his  large  shining  eyes  filled  with  tears ;  a  tribute  to  its 
power,  that  the  keen  frosts  of  those  regions  always  extracted 
from  one  of  his  African  origin.  Still  there  was  a  smiling  ex- 
pression of  good  humour  in  his  happy  countenance,  that  w?< 
created  by  the  thoughts  of  hone,  and  a  Christmas  fireside,  with 
its  Christmas  frolics.  The  sleigh  was  one  of  those  large,  com- 
fortable, old-fashioned  conveyances,  which  would  admit  a  whole 
family  within  its  bosom,  but  which  now  contained  only  two 
passengers  besides  the  driver.  The  colour  of  its  outside  was  a 

I  Sleigh  is  the  word  used  in  every  part  of  the  United  States  to  denote  a  t  raineau. 
It  la  of  local  use  in  the  west  of  England,  whence  it  is  most  probably  derived  by 
the  Americans.  Th«  latter  draw  a  distinction  between  a  sled,  or  sleJge,  and  a 
sleigh  ;  the  sleigh  being  shod  with  metal.  Sleighs  are  also  sub-divided  into  two- 


for  temporary  purposes  in  the  new  countries. 

Many  of  the  American  sleighs  are  elegant,  though  the  use  of  this  mode  of  con- 
veyance is  much  lessened  with  the  melioration  of  the  c'tmate,  counequnnt  on  the 
clearing  of  the  forest*. 


4  THE  PIONEERS. 

modest  gi«een,  and  that  of  its  inside  a  fiery  red.-  The  latter  was 
intended  to  convey  the  idea  of  heat  in  that  cold  climate.  Large 
buffalo  skins,  trimmed  around  the  edges  with  red  cloth,  cut  into 
festoons,  covered  the  back  of  the  sleigh,  and  were  spread  over  its 
bottom,  and  drawn  up  around  the  feet  of  the  travellers — one  of 
whom,  was  a  man  of  middle  age,  and  the  other  a  female,  just 
entering  upon  womanhood.  The  former  was  of  a  large  stature  ; 
but  the  precautions  he  had  taken  to  guard  against  the  cold  left 
but  little  of  his  person  exposed  to  view.  A  greatcoat  that  was 
abundantly  ornamented  by  a  profusion  of  furs,  enveloped  the 
whole  of  his  figure,  excepting  the  head,  which  was  covered  with 
a  cap  of  marten  skins,  lined  with  morocco,  the  sides  of  which 
were  made  to  fall,  if  necessary,  and  were  now  drawn  close  over 
the  ears,  and  fastened  beneath  his  chin  with  a  black  riband.  The 
top  of  the  cap  was  surmounted  with  the  tail  of  the  animal  whose 
skin  had  furnished  the  rest  of  the  materials,  which  fell  back, 
not  ungracefully,  a  few  inches  behind  the  head.  From  beneath 
this  mask  were  to  be  seen  part  of  a  fine  manly  face,  and  par- 
ticularly a  pair  of  expressive,  large  blue  eyes,  that  promised 
extraordinary  intellect,  covert  humour,  and  great  benevolence. 
The  form  of  his  companion  was  literally  hid  beneath  the  gar- 
ments she  wore.'  There  were  furs  and  silks  peeping  from  tinder 
a  large  camlet  cloak,  with  a  thick  flannel  lining,  that,  by  its  cut 
and  size,  was  evidently  intended  for  a  masculine  wearer.  A  huge 
hood  of  black  silk,  that  was  quilted  with  down,  concealed  the 
whole  of  her  head,  except  at  a  small  opening  in  front  for  breath, 
through  which  occasionally  sparkled  a  pair  of  animated  jet-black 
eyes. 

Both  the  father  and  daughter  (for  such  was  the  connection  be- 
tween the  travellers)  were  too  much  occupied  with  their  reflections 
to  break  a  stillness,  that  received  little  or  no  interruption  from 
the  easy  gliding  of  the  sleigh,  by  the  sound  of  their  voices.  The 
former  was  thinking  of  the  wife  that  had  held  this  their  only 
child  to  her  bosom,  when,  four  years  before,  she  had  reluctantly 
consented  to  relinquish  the  society  of  her  daughter,  in  order 
that  the  latter  might  enjoy  the  advantages  of  an  education 
which  the  city  of  New  York  could  only  offer  at  that  period.  A 
few  months  afterwards,  death  had  deprived  him  of  the  remain- 
ing companion  of  his  solitude  ;  but  still  he  had  enough  of  real 
regard  for  his  child,  not  to  bring  her  into  the  comparative 
wilderness  in  which  he  dwelt  until  the  full  period  had  expired 
to  which  he  had  limited  her  juvenile  labours.  The  reflections 
of  the  daughter  were  less  melancholy,  and  mingled  with  a  pleased 
astonishment  at  the  novel  scenery  she  met  at  every  turn  in.  the 
road. 

The  mountain  on  which  they  were  journeying  was  covered 
with  pines,  that  rose  \rthout  a  branch  some  seventy  or  eighty 


THE  PIONEERS.  B 

feet,  and  which  frequently  doubled  that  height,  by  the  addition 
of  the  tops.  Through  the  innumerable  vistas  that  opened 
beneath  the  lofty  trees  tho  eye  could  penetrate,  until  it  was 
met  by  a  distant  inequality  in  the  ground,  or  was  stopped  by 
a  view  of  the  summit  of  the  mountain,  which  lay  bn  the  opposite 
side  of  the  valley  to  which  they  were  hastening.  The  dark 
trunks  of  the  trees  rose  from  the  pure  white  of  the  snow,  in 
regularly  formed  shafts,  until,  at  a  great  height,  their  branches 
ehot  forth  horizontal  limbs  that  were  covered  with  the  meagre 
foliage  of  an  evergreen,  affording  a  melancholy  contrast  to  the 
torpor  of  nature  below.  To  the  travellers  tjiere  seemed  to  be  no 
wind ;  but  these  pines  waved  majestically  at  their  topmost 
boughs,  sending  forth  a  dull,  plaintive  sound,  that  was  quite  in 
consonance  with  the  rest  of  the  melancholy  scene. 

The  sleigh  had  glided  for  some  distance  along  the  even  surface, 
and  the  gaze  of  the  female  was  bent  in  inquisitive,  and  peihaps 
timid  glances,  into  the  recesses  of  the  forest,  when  a  loud  and 
continued  howling  was  heard,  pealing  under  the  long  arches  of 
the  woods,  like  the  cry  of  a  numerous  pack  of  hounds.  The 
instant  the  sounds  reached  the  ears  of  the  gentleman,  he  cried 
aloud  to  the  black, — 

"  Hold  up,  Aggy ;  there  is  old  Hector ;  I  should  know  his 
bay  among  ten  thousand !  The  Leather-stocking  has  put  his 
hounds  into  the  hills,  this  clear  day,  and  they  have  started  their 
game.  There  is  a  deer-track  a  few  rods  ahead  ; — and  now,  Bess, 
if  thou  canst  muster  courage  enough  to  stand  fire,  I  will  give  thee 
a  saddle  for  thy  Christmas  dinner. 

The  black  drew  up,  with  a  cheerful  grin  upon  his  chilled 
features,  and  began  thrashing  his  arms  together,  in  order  to  re- 
store the  circulation  to  his  fingers,  while  the  speaker  stood  erect, 
and,  throwing  aside  his  outer  covering,  he  stepped  from  the 
sleigh  upon  a  bank  of  snow,  which,  sustained  his  weight  without 
yielding. 

In  a  few  moments  the  speaker  succeeded  in.  extricating  a 
double-barrelled  fowling-piece  from  among  a  multitude  of  trunks 
and  band-boxes. "  After  throwing  aside  the  thick  mittens  which 
had  encased  his  hands,  that  now  appeared  in.  a  pair  of  leather 
gloves  tipped  with  fur,  he  examined  his  priming,  and  was  about 
to  move  forward,  when  the  light  bounding  noise  of  a*n  animal 
plunging  through  the  woods  was  heard,  and  a  fine  buck  darted 
into  the  path,  a  short  distance  ahead  of  him.  The  appearance 
of  the  animal  was  sudden,  and  his  flight  inconceivably  rapid ; 
but  the  traveller  appeared  to  be  too  keen  a  sportsman  to  be  dis- 
concerted by  either.  As  it  came  first  into  view  he  raised  the 
fowling-piece  to  his  shoulder,  and,  with  a  practised  eye  and 
steady  hand,  drew  a  trigger.  The  deer  dashed  forward  un- 
daunted, an*  apparently  unhurt  Without  lowering  his  piece, 


6  THE  PIONEERS, , 

the  traveller  turned  his  muzzle  towards  his  victim,  and  fired 
again.  Neither  discharge,  however,  seemed  to  have  taken  effect. 

The  whole  scene  had  passed  with  a  rapidity  that  confused  the 
female,  who  was  unconsciously  rejoicing  in  the  escape  of  the 
buck,  as  he  rather  darted  like  a  meteor,  than  ran  across  the  road, 
when  a  sharp,  quick  sound  struck  her  ear,  quite  different  from 
the  full,  round  reports  of  her  father's  gun,  but  still  sufficiently 
distinct  to  he  known  as  the  concussion  produced  by  fire-air  , 
At  the  same  instant  that  "he  heard  this  unexpected  report,  the 
buck  sprang  from  the  snow,  to  a  great  height  in  the  air,  ami 
directly  a  second  discharge,  similar  in  sound  to  the  first,  followed, 
when  the  animal  came  to  the  earth,  falling  headlong  and  roDIng 
over  on  the  crust  with  its  own  velocity.  A  loud  shout  was  given 
t>y  the  unseen  marksman,  and  a  couple  of  men  instantly  appeared 
from  behind  the  trunks  of  two  of  the  pines,  where  thoy  3r.;d 
evidently  placed  themselves  in  expectation  of  the  passage  of  the 
deer. 

"  Ha  !  Natty,  had  I  known  you  were  in  ambush,  I  should  not 
Jiave  fired,"  cried  the  traveller,  moving  towards  the  c-pot  where 
the  deer  lay — near  to  which  he  was  followed  by  the  delighted 
black,  with  the  sleigh ;  "  but  the  sound  of  old  Hector  was  too 
exhilarating  to  be  quiet ;  thoucrh  I  hardly  think  I  struck  him 
either." 

"No — no — Judge,"  returned  the  hunter,  with  an  inward 
chuckle,  and  with  that  lock  of  exultation,  that  indicates  a 
consciousness  cf  superior  skill ;  "  you  burnt  your  powder  only 
to  warm  your  nose  this  cold  evening.  Did  ya  think  to  stop  a 
full-grown  buck,  with  Hector  and  the  slut  open  upon  him,  within 
souna,  with  that  pop-gun  in  your  hand?  There's  plenty  cf 
pheasants  among  the  swamps;  and  the  snow-birds  are  flying 
round  your  own  door,  where  you  may  feed  them  with  crumbs, 
and  slfoot  them  at  pleasure,  any  day ;  but  if  you're  for  a  buck,  or 
a  little  bear's  meat,  Judge,  you  11  have  to  take  the  long  rifle,  with 
a  greased  wadding,  or  you'll  waste  more  powder  than  you'll  fill 
stomachs,  I'm  thinking." 

As  the  sneaker  concluded,  he  drew  h;s  bare  Land  across  the 
bottom  of  his  nose,  and  again  opened  Lis  enormous  mouth  with  a 
kind  of  inward  laugh. 

"  The  gun  scatters  well,  Natty,  and  ifc  has  killed  a  deer  before 
now,"  said  the  traveller,  smiling  good-hum  curedly.  "  One  barrel 
was  charged  with  buckshot ;  but  the  other  was  loaded  for  birds 
only.  Here  are  two  hurts ;  one  through  the  neck,  and  the  other 
directly  through  the  heart.  It  is  by  no  means  certain,  Natty, 
bat  I  gave  him  one  of  the  two." 

"Let  who  will  hill  him,"  said  the  hunter  rather  surlily,  "I 
suppose  the  creatur  is  to  be  eaten."  So  caving,  he  drew  a  large 
knife  from  a  leathern  sheath,  which  way  stuck  throagh  his  girdle 


THE  PIONEERS.  7 

or  aaeh,  and  cut  the  throat  of  the  animal.  "  If  there  are  two 
balls  through  the  deer,  I  would  ask  if  there  weren't  two  rifles  fired 
— besides,  who  ever  paw  such  a  ragged  hole  from  a  smooth-bore, 
a.*  this  through  the  neck  ? — and  you  will  own  yourself,  Judge, 
that  the  buck  fell  at  the  last  shot,  which  was  sent  from  a  truer 
and  a  younger  hand  than  your'n  or  mine  either ;  but  for  my 
part,  although  I  am  a  jxx>r  man,  I  can  live  without  the  venison, 
but  I  don't  love  to  give  up  my  lawful  dues  in  a  free  country. 
Though,  for  the  matter  of  that,  might  often  makes  right  here  aa 
well  as  in  the  old  country,  for  what  I  can  see." 

An  air  of  sullen  dissatisfaction  pervaded  the  manner  of  the 
hunter  during  the  whole  of  this  speech  ;  yet  he  thought  it  prudent 
to  utter  the  close  of  the  sentence  in  such  an  undertone,  as  to 
leave  nothing  audible  but  the  grumbling  sounds  of  his  voice. 

"Nay,  Natty,"  rejoined  the  traveller  with  undisturbed  good 
humour,  "it  is  for  the  honour  that  I  contend.  A  few  dollars  will 
pay  for  the  venison  ;  but  what  will  requite  me  for  the  lost  honour 
of  a  buck's  tail  in  my  cap  ?  Think,  Natty,  how  I  shall  triumph 
over  that  quizzing  dog,  Dick  Jones,  who  has  failed  seven  timed 
already  this  season,  and  has  only  brought  in  one  wood-chuck  and 
a  few  grey  squirrels." 

"Ah  !  the  game  is. becoming  hard  to  find,  indeed,  Judge,  with, 
your  clearings  and  betterments,"  said  the  old  hunter,  with  a 
kind  of  compelled  resignation.  "The  time  has  been  when  I  have 
phot  thirteen  deer,  without  counting  the  fa'ns,  standing  in  the 
door  of  my  own  hut  I — and  for  bear's  meat,  if  one  wanted  a  ham 
or  so,  he  had  only  to  watch  a-nights,  and  he  could  shoot  one  by 
moonlight,  through  the  cracks  of  the  logs  ;  no  fear  of  his  over- 
sleeping himself,  neither,  for  the  howling  of  the  wolves  was  sartin 
to  keep  his  eyes  open.  There's  old  Hector," — patting  with  affec- 
tion a  tall  hound,  of  black  and  yellow  spots,  with  white  belly 
and  legs,  that  just  then  came  in  on  the  scent,  accompanied  by  the 
slut  he  had  mentioned ;  "  see  where  the  wolves  bit  his  throat, 
the  night  I  druv  them  from  the  venison  that  was  smoking  on  the 
chimbly  top  ; — that  dog  is  more  to  be  trusted  than  many  a 
Christian  man  ;  for  he  never  forgets  a  friend,  and  loves  the  hand 
that  gives  him  bread." 

There  was  a  peculiarity  in  the  manner  of  the  hunter  that 
attracted  the  notice  of  the  young  female,  who  had  been  a  close  and 
interested  observer  of  his  appearance  and  equipments,  from  the 
moment  he  came  into  view.  He  was  tall,  and  so  meagre  as  to  make 
him  seem  above  even  the  six  feet  that  he  actually  stood  in  hia 
stockings.  On  his  head,  which  was  thinly  covered  with  lank, 
sandy  hair,  he  wore  a  cap  made  of  fox-skin,  resembling  in  shape  the 
one  we  have  already  described,  although  much  inferior  in  finish 
and  ornaments.  His  face  was  skinny,  and  thin  almost  to  emacia- 
tion ;  but  yet  it  bore  no  signs  of  disease  j— on  the  contrary,  it  had 


8  TEE  PIONEERS. 

every  indication  of  the  most  robust  and  enduring  health.  The 
cold  and  the  exposure  had,  together,,  giveu  it  a  colour  of  uniform 
red.  His  grey  eyes  were  glancing  under  a  pair  of  shaggy  brow?, 
that  overhung  them  in  long  hairs  of  grey  mingled  with  their 
natural  hue ;  his  scraggy  neck  was  bars,  and  burnt  to  the  eame 
tint  with  his  face  ;  though  a  small  part  of  a  shirt  collar,  made  of 
the  country  check,  was  to  be  seen  above  the  over-dress  he  wore. 
A  kind  of  coat,  made  of  dressed  deerskin,  with  the  hair  on,  was 
belted  close  to  his  lank  body  by  a  girdle  of  coloured  worsted. 
On  his  feet  were  deerskin  mocassins,  ornamented  with  porcupines' 
quills,  after  the  manner  of  the  Indians,  and  his  limbs  were 
guarded  with  long  leggings  of  the  same  material  as  the  m  cassins, 
which,  gartering  over  the  knees  of  his  tarnished  buckskin 
breeches,  had  obtained  for  him,  among  the  settlers,  the  nickname 
of  Leather-stocking.  Over  his  left  shoulder  was  slung  a  belt  of 
deerskin,  from  which  depended  an  enormous  ox  horn,  so  thinly 
scraped,  as  to  discover  the  powder  it  contained.  The  larger  end 
was  fitted  ingeniously  and  securely  with  a  woodan  bottom,  and 
the  other  was  stopped  tight  by  a  little  plug.  A  leathern  pouch 
hung  before  him,  from  .which,  as  he  concluded  his  last  speech,  he 
took  a  small  measure,  and,  filling  it  accurately  with  powder,  he 
commenced  reloading  the  rifle,  which,  as  its  butt  rested  on  the 
snow  before  him,  reached  nearly  to  the  top  of  his  foxskin  cap. 

The  traveller  had  been  closely  examining  the  wounds  during 
these  movements,  and  now,  without  heeding  the  ill-humour  of 
the  hunter's  manner,  he  exclaimed, — 

"  I  would  fain  establish  a  right,  Natty,  to  the  honour  of  this 
death  ;  and  surely  if  the  hit  in  the  neck  be  mine,  it  is  enough  ; 
for  the  shot  in  the  heart  was  unnecessary — what  we  Call  an  act  of 
supererogation,  Leather-stocking." 

"  You  may  call  it  by  what  lamed  name  you  please,  Judge," 
said  the  hunter,  throwing  his  rifle  across  his  left  arm,  and  knock- 
ing up  a  brass  lid  in  the  breech,  from  which  he  took  a  small 
piece  of  greased  leather,  and  wrapping  a  ball  in  it,  forced  them 
down  bv  main  strength  on  the  powder,  wliere  he  continued  to 
pound  them  while  speaking.  "  It's  far  easier  to  call  names  than 
to  shoot  a  buck  on  lie  spring ;  but  the  cretur  came  by  his 
end  from  a  younger  hand  than  either  your'n.  or  mine,  as  I  said 
before." 

"What  say  you,  my  friend,1*  cried  the  traveller,  turning 
pleasantly  to  Hatty's  companion  ;  "shall  we  toss  up  this  dollar 
for  the  honour,  and  you  keep  the  silver  if  you  lose ,  what  say 
you,  friond?" 

"That  I  killed  the  deer,"  answered  the  young  man  with  a 
little  haughtiness,  as  he  leaned  on  another  long  rifle,  similar  to 
that  of  Natty'a. 

"Here  are  two  to  one,  indeed,"  replied  the  Judge  with  a  smile  \ 


THE  PIONEERS. 

M  am  outvoted— overruled,  as  we  say  on  the  bench.  There  is 
Aggy,  he  can't  vote,  being  a  slave  \  and  Bess  is  a  minor— BO.  I 
must  even  make  the  best  of  it.  But  you'll  sell  me  the  venison  ; 
and  the  deuce  is  in  it,  but  I  make  a  good  story  about  its 
death." 

"The  meat  is  none  of  mine  to  sell,"  said  Leather1 -stock ing, 
adopting  a  little  of  his  companion's  hauteur ;  "  for  my  part,  I 
have  known  animals  travel  days  with  shots  in  the  neck,  and  I'm 
none  of  them  who'll  rob  a  man  of  his  rightful  dues." 

"  Y"ou  are  tenacious  of  your  rights  this  cold  evening.  Natty," 
returned  the  Judge  with  unconquerable  good  nature ;  "but  what 
say  you,  young  man  j  will  three  dollars  pay  you  for  the  buck  ? a 

"  First  let  us  determine  the  question  of  right  to  the  satisfaction 
of  us  both,"  said  the  youth  firmly  but  respectfully,  and  with 
a  pronunciation  and  language  vastly  superior  to  his  appearance  ; 
"  with  how  many  shot  did  you  load  your  gun  ? " 

"With  five,  sir,"  said  the  Judge,  a  little  struck  with  the  other's 
manner ;  "  are  they  not  enough  to  slay  a  buck  like  this  ? " 

"  One  would  do  it ;  but,"  moving  to  the  tree  from  behind 
which  he  had  appeared,  "  you  know,  sir,  you  fired  in  this  direc- 
tion— here  are  four  of  the  bullets  in  the  tree." 

The  Judge  examined  the  fresh  marks  in  the  bark  of  the  pine, 
and  shaking  his  head,  said  with  a  laugh, — 

"You  are  making  outf  the  case  against  yourself,  my  young 
advocate — where  is  the  fifth  ? " 

"  Here,"  said  the  youth,  throwing  aside  the  rough  overcoat 
that  he  wore,  and  exhibiting  a  hole  in  his  under-garment,  through 
which  large  drops  of  blood  were  oozing. 

"Good  God!"  exclaimed  the  Judge  with  horror ;  "have  I  been 
trifling  here  about  an  empty  distinction,  and  a  fellow-creature 
suffering  from  my  hands  without  a  murmur  ?  But  hasten — quick 
— get  into  my  sleigh — it  is  but  a  mile  to  the  village,  whera 
surgical  aid  can  be  obtained  ; — all  shall  be  done  at  my  expense, 
and  thou  shalt  live  with  me  until  thy  wound  is  healed — ay,  and 
for  ever  afterwards."  * 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  good  intention,  but  I  must  decline  your 
offer.  I  have  a  friend  who  would  be  uneasy  were  he  to  hear  that 
I  am  hurt  and  away  from  him.  The  injury  is  but  slight,  and 
the  bullet  has  missed  the  bones ;  but  I  believe,  sir,  you  will 
now  admit  my  title  to  the  venison." 

"  Admit  it  1 "  repeated  the  agitated  Judge  ;  "  I  here  give  thee 
a  right  to  shoot  deer,  or  bears,  or  anything  thou  pleasest  in  my 
woods,  for  ever.  Leather-stocking  is  the  only  other  man  that 
I  have  granted  tho  same  privilege  to ;  and  the  time  is  coming 
when  it  will  be  of  value.  But  I  buy  your  deer — here,  this  bill 
will  pay  thee,  both  for  thy  shot  and  ray  own." 

The  old  hunter  gathered  his  tall  person  up  into  an  air  oi' 


10  THE  PIONEERS. 

pride,  daring  this  dialogue,  but  he  waited  until  the  other  had 
done  speaking. 

*  There's  them  living  who  say  that  Nathaniel  Bumppo's  'right 
to  shoot  on  these  hills  is  of  older  date  than  Marmaduke  Temple's 
right  to  forbid  them,"  he  said.  "  But  if  there's  a  law  about  -it  at 
all,  though  who  ever  heard  of  a  law  that  a  man  shouldn't  kill 
deer  where  he  pleased  ! — but  if  there  is  a  law  at  all,  it  should  be 
to  keep  people  from  the  use  of  smooth-bores.  A  body  never 
knows  where  his  lead  will  fly,  when  he  pulls  the  trigger  of  one 
of  them  uncertain  fire-arms." 

Without  attending  to  the  soliloquy  of  Natty,  the  youth  -bowed 
his  head  silently  to  the  offer  of  the  bank  note,  and  replied, — 

"  Excuse  me ;  I  have  need  of  the  venison." 

"  But  this  will  buy  you  many  deer,"  said  the  Judge ;  "  take  it, 
I  entreat  you,"  and  lowering  hia  voice  to  a  whisper,  be  added — 
"  it  is  for  a  hundred  dollars." 

For  an  instant  Only,  the  youth,  seemed  to  hesitate,  and  then, 
blushing  even  through  the  high  colour  that  the  cold  had  given 
to  his  cheeks,  as  if  with  inward  shame  at  his  ewn  weakness, 
he  again  declined  the  offer. 

During  this  scene  the  female  arose,  and,  regardless  of  the  cold 
air,  she  threw  back  the  hood  which  concealed  her  features,  and 
now  spoke  with  great  earnestness. 

"  Surely,  surely,  —  young  man,  —  sir  —  you  would  not  pain 
my  father  eo  much  as  to  nave  him  think  that  he  leaves  a 
fellow-creature  in  this  wilderness,  whom  his  own  hand  has 
injured.  I  entreat  you  will  go  with  us,  and  receive  medical 
aid." 

Whether  his  wound  became  more  painful,  or  there  was  some- 
thing irresistible  in  the  voice  and  manner  of  the  fair  pleader  for 
her  father's  feelings,  we  know  not,  but  the  distance  of  the  young 
man's  manner  was  sensibly  softened  by  this  appeal,  and  he  stooa 
in  apparent  doubt,  as  if  reluctant  to  comply  with,  and  yet 
unwilling  to  refuse  her  request.  The  Judge,  for  such  being 
his  office,  must  in  future  be  his  title,  watched,  with  no  little 
interest,  the  display  of  this  singular  contention  in  the  feelings 
of  the  youth,  and  advancing,  kindly  took  his  hand,  and,  as 
he  pulled  him  gently  towards  the  sleigh,  urged  him  to 
enter  it. 

"  There  is  no  human  aid  nearer  than  Templeton,"  he  said ; 
"  and  the  hut  of  Natty  is  full  three  miles  from  this  ;• — come — 
come,  my  young  friend,  go  with  us,  and  let  the  new  doctor  look 
to  this  shoulder  of  thine.  Here  is  Natty  will  take  the  tidings  of 
thy  welfare  to  thy  friend  ;  and  shouldst  thou  require  it,  thou 
shalt  return  home  in  the  morning." 

The  young  man  succeeded  in  extricating  his  hand  from  the 
warm  clasp  of 'the  Judge,  but  lie  continued  tagaze  on  the  face  of 


TEE  PIONEERS.  II 


the  female,  who,  regardless  ox  me  cold,  was  still  standing  wit 
fine  features  exposed,  which  expressed  feelings  that  eloquently 
seconded  the  request  of  her  father.  Leather-stocking  stood,  in  the 
meantime,  leaning  upon  his  long  rifle,  with  his  head  turned  a  little 
to  one  side,  as  if  engaged  in  sagacious  musing  ;  when,  having 
apparently  satisfied  his  doubts,  by  revolving  the  subject  iu  big 
mind,  he  broke  silence. 

"  It  may  be  best  to  go,  lad,  after  all  ;  for  if  the  shot  Jiangs 
under  the  skin,  my  hand  ia  setting  too  old  to  be  cutting  into 
human  flesh  as  I  once  used  to.  Though  some  thirty  years  agone,  in 
the  old  war,  when  I  was  out  under  Sir  William,  I  travelled  seventy 
miles  alone  in  the  howling  wilderness,  with  a  rifle  bullet  in  my 
thigh,  and  then  cut  it  out  with  my  own  jack-knife.  Old  Indian 
John-  knows  the  time  well.  I  met  him  with  a  party  of  the  Dela- 
wares,  on  the  trail  of  the  Iroquois,  who  had  been  down  and  taken 
five  ecalps  on  the  Schoharie.  But  I  made  a  mark  on  the  red-skin 
that  I'll  warrant  he  carried  to  his  grave  !  I  took  him  on  his 
posteerum,  saving  the  lady's  presence,  as  he  got  up  from  the  am- 
bushment,  and  rattled  three  buckshot  into  his  naked  hide,  so  close 
that  you  might  have  laid  a  broad  joe  upon  them  all"  —  here  Natty 
stretched  out  his  long  neck,  and  straightened  his  body,  as  he 
opened  his  mouth,  which  exposed  a  single  tusk  of  yellow  bone, 
while  his  eyes,  his  face,  even  "his  whole  frame  seemed  to  laugh, 
although  no  sound  was  emitted,  except  a  kind  of  thick  hissing,  as 
Be  inhaled  his  breath  in  quavers.  "I  had  lost  my  bullet  mould 
in  crossing  the  Oneida  outlet,  and  had  to  make  shift  with  the 
buckshot  ;  but  the  rifle  was  true,  and  didn't  scatter  like  yottr  two- 
legged  thing  there,  Judge,  which  don't  do,  I  find,  to  hunt  in 
company  with." 

Hatty's  apology  to  the  delicacy  of  the  young  lady  was  unneces- 
sary, for,  while  he  was  speaking,  she  was  too  mucn  employed  in 
helping  her  father  to  remove  certain  articles  of  baggage  to  hear 
him.  Unable  to  resist  the  kind  urgency  of  the  travellers  any 
longer,  the-  youth,  though  still  with  an  unaccountable  reluctance} 
suffered  himself  to  be  persuaded  to  enter  the  sleieh.  The  black. 
with  the  aid  of  his  master,  threw  the  buck  across  the  baggage,  an-- 
entering  the  vehicle  themselves,  the  Judge  invited  the  hunter  tc 
do  so  likewise. 

"  No,  no,"  said  the  old  man,  shaking  his  head  ;  "  I  have  work 
to  do  at  home  this  Christmas  eve—  drive  on  with  the  boy,  and  let 
your  doctor  look  to  the  shoulder  ;  though  if  he  will  only  cut  out 
the  shot,  I  have  yarbs  that  will  heal  the  wound  quicker  than  all 
his  foreign  'intment?.*1  He  turned,  and  was  about  to  move  off, 
when,  suddenly  recollecting  himself,  he  again  faced  the  party,  and 
added  —  "  If  you  see  anything  of  Indian  John  about  the  foot  of  the 
lake,  you  had  better  take  nun  with  you,  and  let  him  lend  the 
doctor  a  hand  ;  for,  old  as  he  is,  he  is  curious  at  cuts  and 


13  THE  PIONEERS. 

and  it's  likelier  than  not  hell  be  in  with  brooms  to  sweep  yoor 
Christmas  ha'arths." 

"  Stop,  stop  ! "  cried  the  youth,  catching  the  arm  of  the  black 
as  he  prepared  to  urge  his  horses  forward  ;  "  Natty — you  need 
say  nothing  of  the  shot,  nor  of  where  I  am  going — remember, 
Natty,  as  you  love  me." 

"  Trust  old  Leather-stocking,"  returned  the  hunter  significantly ; 
"  he  hasn't  lived  fifty  years  in  the  wilderness  and  not  larnt  from 
the  savages  how  to  hold  his  tongue — trust  to  ine,  lad  j  and  re- 
member  old  Indian  John." 

"And,  Natty,"  said  the  youth  eagerly,  still  holding  ttc 
black  by  the  arm,  "  I  will  just  get  the  snot  extracted,  and  Tjrin; 
you  up,  to-night^  a  quarter  of  the  buck  for  the  Christmas 
dinner?' 

He  was  interrupted  by  the  hunter,who  held  up  his  finger  with 
an  expressive  gesture  for  silence.  He  then  moved  softly  along 
the  margin  of  the  road,  keeping  his  eyes  stedfastly  fixed  on  the 
branches  of  a  pine.  When  he  had  obtained  such  a  position  as  he 
wished,  he  stopped,  and  cocking  his  rifle,  threw  one  leg  far  behind 
him,  and  stretching  his  left  arm  to  its  utmost  extent  along  the 
barrel  of  his  piece,  he  began  slowly  to  raise  its  muzzle  in  a  line 
with  the  straight  trunk  of  the  tree.  The  eyes  of  the  group  in  the 
sleigh  naturally  preceded  the  movement  of  the  rifle,  and  they  soon 
discovered  the  object  of  Natty's  aim.  On  a  email  dead  branch  of 
the  pine,  which,  at  the  distance  of  seventy  feet  from  the  ground, 
shot  out  horizontally,  immediately  beneath  the  living  member 
of  the  tree,  sat  a  bird,  that  in  the  vulgar  language  of  the  country 
was  indiscriminately  called  a  pheasant  or  a  partridge.  In  size,  it 
was  but  little  smaller  than  a  common  barn -yard  fowl.  The  bay- 
ing- of  the  dogs,  and  the  conversation  that  had  passed  near  the 
root  of  the  tree  on  which  it  was  perched,  had  alarmed  the  bird, 
which  was  now  drawn  up  near  the  body  of  the  pine,  with  a  head 
and  ne<}k  BO  erect  as  to  form  nearly  a  straight  line  with  its  legs. 
As  soon  as  the  rifle  bore  on  the  victim,  Natty  drew  his  trigger, 
and  the  partridge  fell  from  its  height  with  a  force  that  buried  it 
;.n  the  snow. 

"  Lie  down,  you  old  villain,"  exclaimed  Leather-stocking,  ehak 
ing  his  ramrod  at  Hector  as  he  bounded  towards  the  foot  of  the 
iree,  "lie  down,  I  say."  The  dos  obeyed,  and  Natty  proceeded 
vitlt  great  rapidity,  though  with  the  nicest  accuracy,  to  reload  his 
piece.  When  this  was  ended,  he  took  up  his  game,  and  showing 
at  to  the  party  without  a  head,  he  cried—-"  Here  is  a  tit-bit  foi 
en  old  man's  Christmas — never  mind  the  venison,  boy,  and  re 
member  Indian  John ;  his  yar'os  are  better  than  all  the  foreign 
'intments.  Here,  Judge."  holding  up  the  bird  again,  "do  you 
think  a  smooth-bore  would  pick  game  off  their  roost,  and  not  ruffle 
a  feather  ? "  The  old  man  gave  another  of  his  remarkable  langhs, 


THE  PIONEERS.  13 

which  partook  BO  largely  of  exultation,  mirth,  and  irony,  and 
shaking  his  head,  he  turned,  with  his  rifle  at  a  trail,  and  moved 
into  the  forest  with  steps  that  were  between  a  walk  and  a  trot. 
At  each  movement  he  made  his  body  lowered  several  inches,  his 
knees  yielding  with  an  inclination  inward ;  but  as  the  sleigh 
turned  at  a  bend  in  the  road,  the  youth  cast  his  eyes  in  quest  of 
his  old  companion,  and  he  saw  that  he  was  already  nearly  con- 
cealed by  the  trunks  of  the  trees,  while  his  dogs  were  following 
quietly  in  his  footsteps,  occasionally  scenting  the  deer  track,  that 
they  seemed  to  know  instinctively  was  now  of  no  further  use  to 
them.  ^  Another  jerk  was  given  to  the  sleigh,  and  Leather-stocking 
\vas  hid  from  view. 


CHAPTER  IL 

All  places  that  the  eye  of  heaven  visits, 

Are  to  a  7150  man  ports  and  happy  havens  :— 

Think  not  the  king  did  banish  thee : 

Bat  thoa  the  king.  Richard  lt> 

JLtf  ancestor  of  Marmaduke  Temple  had,  about  one  hundred  and 
twenty  years  before  the  commencement  of  our  tale,  coine  to  the 
colony  of  Pennsylvania,  a  friend  and  co-religionist  of  its  great 
patron.  Old  Harmaduke — lor  this  formidable  prenomen  was  a 
kind  of  appellative  to  the  race—  broaght  with  him,  to  that  asylum 
of  the  persecuted,  an  abundance  of  the  good  things  of  this  life. 
He  became  the  master  of  many  thousands  of  acres  01  uninhabited 
territory,  and  the  supporter  of  many  a  ecore  of  dependants.  He 
lived  greatly  respected  for  his  piety,  and  was  not  a  little  distin- 
guished as  a  sectary  ;  was  entrusted  by  his  associates  with  many 
important  political  stations  ,  and  died  just  in  time  to  escape  the 
knowledge  of  his  own  poverty.  It  was  bis  lot  to  share  the  fortune 
of  most  of  those  who  brought  wealth  with  them  into  the  new 
settlements  of  the  middle  colonies. 

The  consequence  of  an  emigrant  into  these  provinces  was  gene- 
rally to  be  ascertained  by  the  number  cf  his  white  servants  or 
dependants,  and  the  nature  of  the  public  situations  that  he  held. 
Taking  this  rule  as  a  guide,  the  ancestor  of  our  Judge  must  have 
been  a  man  of  no  little  note. 

It  is,  however,  a  subject  of  curious  inquiry  at  the  present  day, 
to  look  into  the  brief  records  of  that  early  period,  and  observe 
how  regular,  and  with  few  exceptions  how  inevitable,  were  the 
gradations,  on  the  one  hand,  of  the  masters  to  poverty,  and  on  the 
other,  of  their  servants  to  wealth.  Accustomed  to  case,  and 
unequal  to  the  struggles  incident  to  an  infant  society,  the  affluent 
emigrant  was  barely  enabled  to  maintain  his  own  rank,  by  the 
•vreight  of  his  personal  superiority  and  acquirements ;  but  the 
moment  that  his  head  was  laid  in  the'  grave,  his  indolent  and 
comparatively  uneducated  offspring  were  compelled  to  yield 
precedency  to  the  more  active  energies  of  a  class  whose  exertions 
had  been  stimulated  by  necessity.  This  is  a  very  common  course 
of  things,  even  in  the  present  state  of  the  Union ;  but  it  was 
peculiarly  the  fortunes  of  the  two  extremes  of  society,  in  tlm 


THE  PIONEERS.  15 

* 

peaceful  and  unenterprising  colonies  of  Pennsylvania  and  New 
Jersey. 

The  posterity  of  Marmaduke  did  not  escape  the  common  lot  of 
those  who  depend  rather  on  their  hereditary  possessions  than  on 
their  own  powers  ;  and  in  the  third  generation  they  had  descended 
to  a  point  below  which,  in  this  happy  country,  it  is  barely  possible 
for.  honesty,  intellect,  and  sobriety  to  fall.  The  same  pride  of 
family  that  had,  by  its  self-satisfied  indolence,  conduced  to  aid 
their  fall,  now  became  a  principle  to  stimulate  them  to  endeavour 
to  rise  again.  The  feeling,  from  being  morbid,  was  changed  to  a 
healthful  and  active  desire  to  emulate  the  character,  the  condition, 
and,  peradventure,  the  wealth  of  their  ancestors  also.  It  was  the 
father  of  our  new  acquaintance,  the  Judge,  who  first  began  to  re- 
ascend  in  the  scale  of  society  :  and  in  this  undertaking  he  was 
not  a  little  assisted  by  a  marriage,  which  aided  in  furnishing  the 
means  of  educating  his  only  son  in  a  rather  better  manner  than 
the  low  state  of  the  common  schools  in  Pennsylvania  could  pro- 
mise ;  or  than  had  been  in  practice  in  the  family  for  the  two  or 
three  preceding  generations. 

At  the  school  where  the  reviving  prosperity  of  his  father  was 
enabled  to  maintain  him,  young- Marmaduke  formed  an  intimacy 
with  a  youth  whose,  years  were  about  equal-to  his  own.  This 
was  a  fortunate  connection  for  our  Judge,  and  paved  the  way  to 
most  of  his  future  elevation  in  life. 

There  was  not  only  great  wealth  but  high  court  interest  among 
the  connections  of  Edward  EfEngham.  They  were  one  of  the  few- 
families  then  resident  in  the  colonies  who  thought  it  a  degrada- 
tion to  its  members  to  descend  to  the  pursuits  of  commerce  ;  aiid 
who  never  emerged  from  the  privacy  of  domestic  life  unless  to 
preside  in  the  councils  of  the  colony,  or  to  bear  arms  in  her 
defence.  The  latter  had,  from  youth,  been  the  only  employment 
of  Edward's  father.  Military  rank,  under  the  crown  of  Great 
Britain,  was  attained  with  much,  longer  probation,  and  by  much 
more  toilsome  services  sixty  years  ago  than  at  the  present  time. 
Years  were  passed  without  murmuring  in  the  subordinate  grades 
of  the  service  ;  and  those  soldiers  who  were  stationed  in  the 
colonies  felt,  when  they  obtained  the  command  of  a  company, 
that  they  were  entitled  to  receive  the  greatest  deference  from  the 
peaceful  occupants  of  the  soil  Any  one  of  our  readers  who  has 
occasion  to  cross  the  Niagara  may  easily  observe,  not  only  the 
self-importance,  but  the  real  estimation  enjoyed  by  the  humblest 
representative  of  the  crown,  even  in  that  polar  region  of  loyal 
sunshine.  Such,  and  at  no  very  distant  period,  was  the  respect 
paid  to  the  military  in  these  States  where  now,  happily,  no  symbol 
of  war  is  ever  seen,  unless  at  the  free  and  fearless  voice  of  th«ir 
people.  When,  therefore,  the  father  of  Mannaduke'g  friend,  after 
forty  years'  service,  retirea  with  the  rank  of  major,  maintaining 


Ifl  THE  PIONEERS. 

in  his  domestic  establishment  a  comparative  splendour,  be  became 
o  man  of  the  first  consideration  in  his  native  colony — whic! 
that  of  New  York.  He  had  served  with  fidelity  and  courage,  and 
having  been,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  provinces,  intrusted 
with  commands  much  superior  to  those  to  which  he  was  entitled 
by  rank,  with  reputation  also.  When  Major  Ejflingham  yielded 
to  the  claims  of  age,  he  retired  with  dignity,  refusing  hia  half- pay 
or  any  other  compensation  for  services  that  he  felt  he  could  no 
longer  perform. 

The  ministry  proffered  various  civil  offices,  which  yielded  not 
only  honour  but  profit; 'but  he  declined  them  all,  with  the 
chivalrous  'independence  and  loyalty  that  had  marked  his 
character  througn  life.  The  veteran  soon  caused  this  act  of 
patriotic  disinterestedness  to  be  followed  by  another  of  private 
munificence,  that,  however  little  it  accorded  with  prudence,  was 
in  perfect  conformity  with  the  simple  integrity  of  hia  own 
views. 

The  friend  of  Marmaduke  was  his  only  child ;  and  to  this  son, 
on  his  marriage  with  a  lady  to  whom  the  father  was  particularly 
partial,  the  Major  gave  a  complete  conveyance  of  his  whole  estate, 
consisting  of  monies  in  the  funds,  a  town  and  country  residence, 
sundry -valuable  farms  in  the  old  parts  of  the  colony,  and  large 
tracts  of  wild  land  in  the  new  j — in  this  manner  throwing  him- 
self upon  the  filial  piety  of  his  child  for  his  own  future  mainten- 
ance. Major  Effingham,  in  declining  the  liberal  offers  of  the 
British  ministry,  had  subjected  himself  to  the  suspicion  of  having 
attained  his  dotage,  by  all  those  who  throng  the  avenues  to  court 
patronage,  even  in  the  remotest  corners  of  that  vast  empire ;  but 
when  he  thus  voluntarily  stripped  himself  of  his  great  personal 
wealth,  the  remainder  of  the  community  seemed  instinctively  to 
adopt  the  conclusion  also,  that  he  had  reached  a  second  childhood. 
This  may  explain  the  fact  of  his  importance  rapidly  declining ; 
and  if  privacy  was  his  object,  the  veteran  had  soon  a  free 
indulgence  of  his  wishes,  Whatever  views  the  world  might 
t  entertain  of  this  act  of  the  Major,  to  himself  and  to  his  child  it 
eeemed  no  more  than  a  natural  gift  by  a  father,  of  those  immunities 
which  he  could  no  longer  enjoy  or  improve,  to  a  eon,  .who  wae 
formed,  both  by  nature  and  education,  to  do  both.  The  younger 
Effmgham  did  "not  object  to  the  amount  of  the  donation ;  for  no 
felt  that  while  his  parent  reserved  &  moral  control  over  his 
actions,  he.was  relieving  himself  from  a  fatiguing  burden :  such, 
indeed,  was  the  confidence  existing  between  them,  that  to  neither 
did  it  seem  anything  more  than  removing  money  frdm  one  pocket 
to  another. 

One  of  the  first  acts  of  the  young  man,  on  coming  into  pos- 
session of  his  wealth,  was  to  seek  his  early  friend,  with  a  view  to 
offer  a$7  assistance  that  it  was  now  in  his  power  to  bestow. 


THE  PIONEERS.  17 

The  death  of  Marmaduke's  father,  and  the  consequent  division 
of  his  small  estate,  rendered  such  an  offer  extremely  acceptable  to 
the  young  Pennsylvanian  :  he  felt  his  own  powers,  and  saw,  not 
only  the  excellences,  but  the  foibles,  in  the  character  of  his  friend. 
Effingham  was  by  nature  indolent,  confiding,  and  at  times  im- 
petuous and  indiscreet ;  but  Marmaduke  was  uniformly  equable, 
penetrating,  and  full  of  activity  and  enterprise.  To  the  latter, 
therefore,  the  assistance,  or  rather  connection,  that  was  proffered 
to  him,  seemed  to  promise  a  mutual  advantage.  It  was  cheerfully 
accepted,  and  the  arrangement  of  its  conditions  was  easily  com- 
pleted. A  mercantile  house  was  established  in  the  metropolis  of 
Pennsylvania,  with  the  avails  of  Mr.  Emngham's  personal 
property  ;  all,  or  nearly  all,  of  which  was  put  into  the  possession 
of  Temple,  who  was  the  only  ostensible  proprietor  in  the  concern, 
while,  in  secret,  the  other  was  entitled  to  an  equal  participation 
in  the  profits.  This  connection  was  thus  kept  private  for  two 
reasons  j  one  of  which,  in  the  freedom  of  their  intercourse,  was 
frankly  avowed  to  Marmaduke,  while  the  other  continued  pro- 
foundly hid  in  the  bosom  of  his  friend.  The  last  was  nothing 
more  than  pride.  To  the  descendant  of  a  line  of  soldiers, 
commerce,  even  in  that  indirect  manner,  seemed  a  degrading 
pursuit ; — but  an  insuperable  obstacle  to  the  disclosure  existed  in 
the  prejudices  of  his  father. 

We  have  already  said  that  Major  Eflingham  had  served  as  a 
soldier  with  reputation.  On  one  occasion,  while  in  command  on 
the  western  frontier  of  Pennsylvania,  against  a  league  of  the 
French  and  Indians,  not  only  his  glory,  but  the  safety  of  himself 
and  his  troops  were  jeoparded,  by  the  peaceful  policy  of  that 
colony.  To  the  soldier,  this  was  an  unpardonable  offence.  He 
was  fighting  in  their  defence — he  knew  that  the  mild  principles 
of  this  little  nation  of  practical  Christians  would  be  disregarded 
by  their  subtle  and  malignant  enemies ;  and  he  felt  the  injury 
the  more  deeply,  because  he  saw  that  the  avowed  object  of  the 
colonists,  in  withholding  their  succours,  would  only  have  a 
tendency  to  expose  his  command,  without  preserving  the  peace. 
The  soldier  succeeded,  after  a  desperate  conflict,  in  extricating 
himself,  with  a  haiidful  of  his  men,  from  their  murderous  enemy : 
but  he  never  forgave  the  people  who  had  exposed  him  to  a  danger 
which  they  left  him  to  combat  alone.  It  was  in  vain  to  tell  him 
that  they  had  no  agency  in  his  being  placed"  on  their  frontier  at 
'heir  benefit  that  he  had  1 
s  duty,"  so  the  Major  ah 
duty  to  have  supported 

At  no  time  was  tne  old  soldier  an  admirer  of  the  peaceful 
disciples  of  Fox  Their  disciplined  habits,  both  of  mind  and 
body,  had  endowed  them  with  great  physical  perfection;  and 
the  eye  of  the  veteran  was  apt  to  scan  the  fair  proportion?  and 


18  THE  PIONEERS. 

athletic  frames  of  the  colonists  with  a  look  that  seemed  to  utter 
volumes  of  contempt  for  their  moral  imbecility.  He  was  also  a 
little  addicted  to  the  expression  of  a  belief  that,  where  there  was 
so  great  an  observance  of  the  externals  of  religion,  there  could 
not  be  much  of  the  substance.  It  is  not  our  task  to  explain  what 
is,  or  what  ought  to  be,  the  substance  of  Christianity,  but  merely 
to  record  in  this  place  the  opinions  of  Major  Effingham. 

Knowing  the  sentiments  of  the  father  in  relation  to  this  people, 
it  was  no  wonder  that  the  son  hesitated  to  avow  his  connection 
with,  nay,  even  his  dependence  on  the  integrity  of  a  Quaker. 

It  has  been  seen  that  Marmaduke  deduced  his  oric^m  from  the 
contemporaries  and  friends  of  Perm.  His  father  had  married 
without  the  pale  of  the  church  to  which  he  belonged,  and  had,  in 
this  manner,  forfeited  some  of  the  privileges  of  his  offspring. 
Still,  as  young  Marmaduke  was  educated  in  a  colony  and  society, 
where  even  the  ordinary  intercourse  between  friends  was  tinctured 
with  the  aspect  of  this  mild  religion,  his  habits  and  language 
were  somewhat  marked  by  its  peculiarities.  His  own  maniagn 
at  a  future  day  with  a  lady  without  not  only  the  pale,  but  the 
influence  of  this  sect  of  religionists,  had  a  tendency,  it  is  true,  tj 
weaken  his  early  impressions ,  stall  he  retained  them  in  some 
degree*  to  fhe  hour  of  his  death,  and  was  observed  uniformly, 
when  much  interested  or  agitated,  to  speak  in  the  language  of 
his  youth.  But  this  is  anticipating  our  tale. 

When  Marmaduke  first  became  the  pairtner  of  young  Effingham 
he  was  quite  tha  Quaker  in  externals ;  and  it  was  too  dangerous 
an  experiment  for  the  son  to  think  of  encountering  the  prej  idiccs 
of  the  father  on  this  subject.  The  connection,  therefore,  remained 
a  profound  secret  to  all  but  those  who  were  interested  in  it. 

For  a  few  years  Marmaduke  directed  the  commercial  operatecna 
of  his  house  with  a  prudence  and  sagacity  that  afforded  rich 
returns.  Ho  married  the  lady  we  have  mentioned,  who  was  the 
mother  of  Elizabeth,  and  the  visits  of  his  friend  were  becoming 
more  frequent.  There  was  a  speedy  prospect  of  removing  the 
veil  from  their  intercourse,  as  its  advantages  became  each  nour 
more  apparent  to  Mr.  Effingham,  when  the  troubles  that  preceded 
the  war  of  the  Eevolution  extended  themselves  to  an  alarming 
degree. 

Educated  in  the  most  dependent  loyalty,  Mr.  Effingham  had, 
from  the  commencement  of  the  disputes  between  the  colonists 
and  the  crown,  warmly  maintained  what  he  believed  to  be  the 
just  prerogatives  of  his  prince  ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
clear  head  and  independent  mind  of  Temple  had  induced  him  to 
espouse  the  cause  of  the  people.  Both  might  hava  been  influenced 
by  early  impressions;  Tor,  if  the  son,  of  the  loyal  and  gallant 
soldier  Dowed  in  implicit  obedience  to  th«  will  of  hit  sovereign, 
the  dwcendairt  of  the  persecuted  follower  of  Penn  looked  back, 


THE  PIONEERS.  H 

with  a  little  bitterness,  to  the  unmerited  wrongs  that  had  been 
heaped  upon  his  ancestors. 

Tins  difference  in  opinion  had  long  been  a  subject  of  amicable 
dispute  between  them  ;  but,  latterly,  the  contest  was  getting  to 
be  too  important  to  admit  of  trivial  discussions  on  the  part  of 
Marmaduke,  whose  acute  discernment  was  already  catching  faint 
glimmerings  of  the  important  events  that  were  in  embryo.  The 
ppaik«  of  dissension  soon  kindled  into  a  blaze  ;  and  the  colonies, 
or  rather,  as  they  quickly  declared  themselves,  THE  STATES, 
became  a  scene  of  strife  and  bloodshed  for  years. 

A  short  time  before  the  battle  of  Lexington,  Mr.  Effingharn, 
already  a  widower,  transmitted  to  Marmaduke,  for  safe-keeping, 
all  his  valuable  effects  and  papers  ;  and  left  the  colony  without 
his  father.  The  war  had,  however,  scarcely  commenced  in  earnest 
when  he  reappeared  in  New  York,  wearing  the  livery  of  his  king; 
and  in  ashort  time  he  took  the  field  at  the  head  of  a  provincial  corps. 
In  the  meantime  Marmaduke  had  completely  committed  himself 
in  the  cause,  as  it  was  then  called,  of  the  rebellion.  Of  course, 
all  intercourse  between  the  friends  ceased — on  the  part  of  Colonel 
Effingham  it  was  unsought,  and  on  that  of  Marmaduke  there  was 
a  cautious  reserve.  It  soon  became  necessary  for  the  latter  to 
abandon  the  capital  of  Philadelphia  ;  but  he  had  taien  the  pre- 
caution to  remove  the  whole  of  his  effects  beyond  the  reach  of 
the  royal  forces,  including  the  papers  of  his  friend  also.  There 
he  continued  serving  his  country  during  the  struggle,  in  various 
civil  capacities,  and  always  with  dignity  and  usefulness.  While, 
however,  he  discharged  his  functions  with  credit  and  fidelity, 
Marmaduke  never  seemed  to  lose  sight  of  his  own  interests  ;  for, 
when  the  estates  of  the  adherents  of  the  crown  fell  under  the 
hammer  by  the  acts  of  confiscation,  he  appeared  in  New  York, 
and  became  the  purchaser  of  extensive  possessions  at  comparatively 
low  prices. 

It  is  true  that  Marmaduke,  by  thus  purchasing  estates  that  had 
been  wrested  by  violence  from  others,  rendered  himself  obnoxious 
to  the  censures  of  that  sect  which,  at  the  same  time  that  it  discards 
its  children  from  a  full  participation  in  the  family  union,  seems 
ever  unwilling  to  abandon  them  entirely  to  the  world.  But 
either  his  success,  or  the  frequency  of  the  transgression  in  other?, 
soon  wiped  off  this  slight  stain  from  his  character  :  and  although 
there  were  a  few  who,  dissatisfied  with  their  own  fortunes,  or 
conscious  of  their  own  demerits,  would  make  dark  hints  concern- 
ing the  sudden  prosperity  of  the  unportioned  Quaker,  yet  his 
services,  and  possibly  his  wealth,  soon  drove  the  recollection  of 
these  vague  conjectures  from  men's  minds. 

When  the  war  ended,  and  the  independence  of  the  States  was 
acknowledged,  Mr.  Temple  turned  his  attention  from  the  pursuit 
of  commerce,  »which  was  then  fluctuating  and  uncertain,  to  the 


20  THE  PIONEERS. 

settlement  of  those  tracts  of  land  which  he  had  purchased.  Aided 
by  a  good  deal  of  money,  and  directed  by  the  suggestions  of  a 
strong  and  practical  reason,  his  enterprises  throve  to  a  degree 
that  the  climate  and  rugged  face  of  the  country  which  he  selected 
would  seem  to  forbid.  His  property  increased  in  a  tenfold  ratio, 
and  he  was  already  Banked  among  the  most  wealthy  and  important 
of  his  countrymen.  To  inherit  this  wealth  he  had  but  one  child 
— the  daughter  whom  we  have  introduced  to  the  reader,  and 
whom  he  v/as  now  conveying  from  school  to  preside  over  a  house- 
hold that  had  too  long  wanted  a  mistress. 

When  the  district  in  which  his  estates  lay  had  become  suffi- 
ciently populous  to  be  set  off  as  a  county,  Mr.  Temple  had, 
according  to  the  custom  of  the  "new  settlements,  been  selected  to 
fill  its  highest  judicial  station.  This  might  make  a  Templar 
smile,  but  in  addition  to  the  apology  of  necessity  there  is  ever  a 
dignity  in  talents  and  experience  that  is  commonly  sufficient,  in 
any  station,  for  the  protection  of  its  possessor  ;  and  Marraaduke, 
more  fortunate  in  his  native  clearness  of  mind  than  the  judge  of 
King  Charles,  not  only  decided  right,  but  was  generally  able  to 
give  a  very  good  reason  for  it.  At  all  events,  such  was  the 
universal  practice  of  the  country  and  the  times ;  and  Judge 
Temple,,  so  far  from  ranking  among  the  lowest  of  his  judicial 
contemporaries  in  the  courts  of  the  new  counties,  felt  himself, 
and  was  unanimously  acknowledged  to  be,  among  the  first. 

We  shall  here  close  this  brief  explanation  of  the  history  and 
character  of  some  of  ou'-  parsonages,  leaving  them'  in  future  to 
speak  and  act  for  themselves.. 


A31  that  thou  sse'st  is  nature's  handiwork  ; 

Those  rocks  that  upward  throw  their  mossy  brows 

Like  castled  pinnacles  of  elder  time  t 

iThese  venerable  stems,  that  slowly  rock 

Their  tow'ring  branches  in  the  wintry  gale  f 

That  field  of  Irost,  which  glitters  hi  the  sun, 

Mocking  the  whiteness  of  a  marble  breast  1— 

Yet  jnan  can  mar  such  works  with  his  rude  taste, 

Like  some  sad  spoiler  of  a  virgin's  fame.  Duo. 

SOME  little  while  elapsed  ere  Marmaduko  Temple  was  sufficiently 
recovered  from  his  agitation  to  scan  the  person  of  his  new  com- 
panion. He  now  observed  that  he  was  a  youth  of  some  two  or 
three  and  twenty  years  of  age,  and  rather  ahove  the  middle 
height.  Further  observation  was  prevented  by  the  rough  over- 
eat which  was  belted  close  to  his  form  by  a  worsted  sash,  touch 
like  the  one  worn  by  the  old  hunter.  The  eyes  of  the  Judge, 
after  resting  a  moment  on  the  figure  of  the  stranger,  were  raised 
to  a  scrutiny  of  his  countenance.  There  had  been  a  look  of  care 
visible  in  the  features  of  the  youth  when  he  first  entered  the 
sleigh,  that  had  not  only  attracted  the  notice  of  Elizabeth, but  which 
she  had  been  much  puzzled  to  interpret.  His  anxiety  seemed  the 
strongest  when  he  was  enjoining  his  old  companion  to  secrecy  ; 
and  even  when  he  had  decided,  and  was,  rather  passively,  suffer- 
ing himself  to  be  conveyed  to  the  village,  the  expression  of  his 
eyes  by  no  means  indicated  any  great  degree  of  self-satisfaction  at 
the  step.  But  the  lines  of  an  uncommonly  prepossessing  coun- 
tenance were  gradually  becoming  composed  ;  and  he  now  sat 
silent,  and  apparently  musing.  The  Judge  gazed  at  him  for 
some  time  with  earnestness,  and  then  smiling,  as  if  at  his  own 
forgetf ulness,  he  said, — 

"  I  believe,  my  young  friend,  that  terror  has  driven  you  from 
my  recollection — your  face  is  very  familiar,  and  yet  for  the 
honour  of  a  score  of  bucks'  tails  in  my  cap,  I  could  not  tell 
your  name." 

"  I  came  into  the  country  but  three  weeks  since,"  returned  the 
youth  coldly,  "and  I  understand  you  have  been  absent  twice 
that  time." 

"  It  will*  be  five  to-morrow.  Yet  your  face  is  one  that  I  hp.vo 
seen  ;  though  it  would  not  be  strange,  such  has  been  my  affright, 


II  THE  PIONEERS. 

should  I  see  thee  in  thy  winding-sheet  walking  by  my  bedslda 
to-night.  What  say'st  thou,  Bess?  Am  I  compos  mentfa  or 
not  ?  Fit  to  charge  a  grand  jury,  or,  what  is  just  now  of  mori 
pressing  necessity,  able  to  do  the  honours  of  a  Christmas-eve  in 
the  hall  of  Temple  ton  ?" 

"  More  able  to  do  either,  my  dear  father,"  said  a  playful  voice 
from  under  the  ample  enclosures  of  the  hood,  "  than  to  kill  deer 
with  a  smooth-bore."  A  short  pause  followed  ;  and  the  eatne 
voice,  but  in  a  different  accent,  continued — "We  shall  have  good 
reasons  for  our  thanksgiving  to-night,  on  more  accounts  than 
one." 

The  horses  soon  reached  a  point,  where  they  seemed  to  know, 
by  instinct,  that  the  journey  was  nearly  ended,  and,  bearing  on 
the  bits,  as  they  tossed  their  heads,  they  rapidly  drew  the  eleigh 
over  the  level  land,  which  lay  on  the  top  of  the  mountain,  and 
soon  came  to  the  point  where  the  road  descended  suddenly  but 
circuitously  into  the  valley. 

The  Judge  was  roused  from  his  reflections,  when  he  saw  the 
four  columns  of  smoke,  which  floated  above  his  own  chimneys. 
As  house,  village,  and  valley  burst  on  his  eight,  he  exclaimed 
cheerfully  to  his  daughter, — 

"  See,  Bess,  there  is  thy  resting-place,  for  life  ! — And  thine, 
too,  young  man,  if  thou  wilt  consent  to  dwell  with  us." 

The  eyes  of  his  auditors  involuntarily  met ;  and  if  the  colour 
that  gathered  over  the  face  of  Elizabeth  was  contradicted  by  the 
cold  expression  of  her  eye,  the  ambiguous  smile  that  again  played 
about  the  lips  of  the  stranger  seemed  equally  to  deny  the  pro- 
bability of  his  consenting  to  form  oue  of  this  family  group.  The 
scene  was  one,  however,  which  might  easily  warm  a  heart  less 
given  to  philanthropy  than  that  of  Mannaduke  Temple. 

The  side  of  the  mountain,  on  which  our  travellers  were 
journeying,  though  not  absolutely  perpendicular,  was  so  steep 
as  to  render  great  care  necessary  in  descending  the  rude  and 
narrow  path,  which,  in  that  early  day,  wound  along  the  precipices. 
The  negro  reined  in  his  impatient  steeds,  and  time  v/as  given 
Elizabeth  to  dwell  on  a  scene  which  was  so  rapidly  altering 
under  the  hands  of  man,  that  it  only  resembled,  in  its  outlines, 
the  picture  she  had  so  often  studied  with  delight  in  childhood. 
Immediately  beneath  them  lay  a  seeming  plain,  glittering, 
without  inequality,  and  burifd  in  mountains.  The  latter  were 
precipitous,  especially  on  the  side  of  the  plain,  and  chiefly  in 
forest  Here  and  there  the  hills  fell  away  in  long,  low  points, 
and  broke  the  sameness  of  the  outline  ;  or  setting  to  the  long 
and  wide  field  of  snow,  which,  without  house,  tree,  fence,  or  any 
other  fixture,  resembled  so  much  spotless  cloud  settled  to  the 
earth.  A  few  dark  and  moving  spots  were,  however,  visible  on 
the  aven  surface,  which  the  eye  of  Elizabeth  knew  to  be  no  many 


THE  PIONEER'*.  <& 

going  their  several  ways,  to  or  Ironi  the  village.  Oa  the 
western  border  of  the  plain,  the  mountains,  though  equally,  high, 
were  less  precipitous,  and  as  they  receded,  opened  into  irregulir 
valleys -and  glens,  or  •were  formed  into  terraces  and  hollows  that 
admitted  of  cultivation.  Although  the  evergreens  still  Iteld 
dominion  over  many  of  the  hills  that  rose  on  this  tide  of  the 
valley,  yet-  the  undulating  outlines  cf  the  distant  mountains, 
covered  with  forests  of  beech  and  maple,  gave  a  relief  to  the  eye, 
and  the  promise  cf  a  kinder  soil.  Occasionally  spots  of  white 
were  discoverable  amidst  the  forests  of  the  opposite  hills,  which 
announced,  by  the  smoke  that  curled  over  the  tops  of  the  trees, 
the  habitations  of  man,  and  the  commencement  cf  agriculture. 
These  spots  were  sometimes,  by  the  aid  of  united  labour,  enlarged 
into  what  were  called  settlements,  but  more  frequently  were 
small  and  insulated  ;  though  so  rapid  were  the  changes,  and  so 
persevering  the  labours  of  those  who  had  cast  their  fortunes  on 
the  success  of  the  enterprise,  that  it  was  not  difficult  for  the 
imagination  of  Elizabeth  to  conceive  they  were  enlarging  under 
her  eye,  while  she  was  gazing,  in  mute  wonder,  at  the  alterations 
that  a  few  short  years  had  |eade  in  the  aspect  of  the  country. 
The  points  on  the  western  side  of  this  remarkable  plain,  on  which 
no  plant  had  taken  root,  were  both  larger  and  more  numerous 
than  those  on  its  eastern,  and  one  in  particular  thrust  itself 
forward  in  euch  a  manner  as  to  form  beautifully  curved  bays  of 
snow  on  either  side.  On  its  extreme  end  an  oak  stretched 
forward,  as  if  to  overshadow  with  its  branches  a  spot  vhich 
its  roots  were  forbidden  to  enter.  It  had  released  itself  from 
the  thraldom  that  a  growth  of  centuries  had  imposed  -on  the 
branches  of  the  surrounding  forest-trees,  and  threw  its  gnarled 
and  fantastic  arms  abroad  :.n.  the  wildness  of  liberty,  A  dark 
spot,  of  a  few  acres  in  extent,  at  the  southern  extremity  of  this 
beautiful  fiat,  r-.nd  immediately  under  the  feet  of  our  travellers, 
alone  showed,  liy  its  rippling  surface  and  the  vapours  which 
exhaled  from  it,  that  what  at  first  might  seem  a  plain  was  one 
of  the  mountain  lakes,  locked  in  the  frosts  of  winter.  A  narrow 
current  rushed  impetuously  from  its  bosom  at  the  open  place  vca 
have  mentioned,  and  was  to  be  traced,  for  mile;  as  it  wound  its 
way  towards  the  south  through  the  real  valley,  .  y  its  borders  of 
hemlock  and  pine,  and  by  the  vapour  which  arose  from  its 
warmer  surface  into  the  chill  atmosphere  cf  tha  bills,  iho 
banks  of  this  lovely  basin,  at  its  outlet,  or  southern  ond,  were 
steep  but  not  h'gh  ;  and  in  that  direction  the  land  continued, 
far  as  tho  eye  could  reach,  a  narrow  but  graceful  valley,  along 
which  the  settlers  had  scattered  their  humble  habitations,  with 
a  profusion  that  bespoke  the  quality  of  the  soil,  and  the 
comparative  facilities  of  intercourse,  immediately  on  the  r.ar  :c 
of  we  lake  and  its  fort  stood  the  village  of  Templetcn.  & 


24  THE  PIONEERS 

consisted  of  some  fifty  buildings,  including  those  of  every  descrip- 
tion, chiefly  built  of  wood,  and  which,  in  their  architecture,  bore 
no  great  marks  of  taste,  but  which  also,  by  the  unfinished  appear- 
ance of  most  of  the  dwellings,  indicated  the  hasty  manner  of 
their  construction.  To  the  eye  they  presented  a  variety  of 
colours.  A  few  were  white  in  both  front  and  rear,  but  more 
bora  that  expensive  colour  on  their  fronts  only,  while  their 
economical  but  ambitious  owners  had  covered  the  remaining 
sides  of  the  edifices  with  a  dingy  red.  One  or  two  were  slowly 
assuming  the  russet  of  age  ;  while  the  uncovered  beams  that 
were  to  be  seen  through  the  broken  windows  of  their  second 
storeys  showed,  that  either  the  taste  or  the  vanity  of  their  pro- 
prietors had  led  them  to  undertake  a  task  which,  they  were 
unable  to  accomplish.  The  whole  w.ere  grouped  together  in  a 
manner  that  aped  the  streets  of  a  city,  and  were  evidently  so 
arranged  by  the  directions  of  one  wlio  looked  to  the  wants  of 
posterity  rather  than  to  the  convenience  of  the  present  incum- 
bents. Some  three  or  four  of  the  better  sort  of  buildings,  in 
addition  to  the  uniformity  of  their  colour,  were  fitted  with  green 
blinds,  which,  at  that  season  at  least,  were  rather  strangely  con- 
trasted to  the  chill  aspect  of  the  lake,  the  mountains,  the  forest?, 
and  the  wide  fields  of  snow.  Before  the  doors  of  these  pretending 
dwellings  were  placed  a  few  saplings,  either  without  branches 
or  possessing  only  the  feeble  snoots  of  one  or  two  summers' 
growth,  that  looked  not  unlike  tall  grenadiers  on  post  near  the 
threshold  of  princes.  In  truth,  the  occupants  of  these  favoured 
habitations  were  the  nobles  of  Terapleton,  as  Marmaduke  was  its 
king.  They  were  the  dwellings  of  two  young  men  who  were 
cunning  in  the  law  ;  an  equal  number  of  that  class  who  chaffered 
to  the  wants  of  the  community  under  the  title  of  store-keepers  ; 
and  a  disciple  of  JEsculapius,  who,  for  a  novelty,  brought  more 
subjects  into  the  world  than  he  sent  out  of  it.  In  the  midst  of 
this  incongruous  group  of  dwellings  rose  the  mansion  of  the 
Judge,  towering  above  all  its  neighbours.  It  stood  in  the  centre 
of  an  enclosure  of  several  acres,  which  were  covered  with  fruit 
trees.  Some  of  the  latter  had  been  left  by  the  Indians,  and 
began  already  to  assume  the  moss  and  inclination  of  age,  therein 
forming  a  very  marked  contrast,  to  the  infant  plantations  thai 
peered  over  most  of  the  picketed  fences  in  the  village.  In 
addition  to  this  show  of  cultivation,  were  two  rows  of  young 
Lombardy  poplars,  a  tree  but  lately  introduced  inte  America, 
formally  lining1  either  side  of  a  pathway,  which  led  from  &  gatet 
that  opened  on  the  principal  street  to  the  front  door  of  the  build* 
ing.  The  house  itself  had  been  built  entirely  under  the  super- 
intendence of  a  certain  Mr.  Richard  Jones,  whom  we  have  already 
Mentioned,  and  who,  from  his  cleverness  in  small  matters,  and 
an  entire  willingness  to  exert  his  talents,  added  to  the  circum- 


THE  PIONEERS.  *a 

stanca  of  their  being  sisters'  children,  ordinarily  superintended 
all  the  minor  concerns  of  Marmaduke  Temple.  Richard  was 
fond  of  saying,  that  this  child  of  his"  invention  consisted  of 
nothing  more  nor  less  than  what  should  form  the  groundwork 
of  every  clergyman's  discourse  ;  viz.  a  firstly,  and  a  lastly.  H« 
had  commenced  his  labours,  in  the  first  year  of  their  residence, 
by  erecting  a  tall,  gaunt  edifice  of  wood,  with  its  gable  towards 
the  highway.  In  this  shelter,  for  it  was  little  more,  the  family 
resided  three  years.  By  the  end  of  that  period,  Richard  had 
completed  his  design.  He  had  availed  himself,  in  this  heavy 
undertaking,  of  the  experience  of  a  certain  wandering  eastern 
mechanic,  who,  by  exhibiting  a  few  soiled  plates  of  English 
architecture,  and  talking  learnedly  of  friezes,  entablatures,  and 
particularly  of  the  composite  order,  had  obtained  a  very  undue 
influence  over  Richard's  taste  in  everything  that  pertained  to 
that  branch  of  the  fine  arts.  Not  that  Mr.  Jones  did  not  affect 
to  consider  Hiram  Doolittle  a  perfect  empiric  in  his  profession  ; 
being  in  the  constant  habit  of  listening  to  his  treatises  on  archi- 
tecture with  a  kind  of  indulgent  smile,  yet,  either  from,  an 
inability  to  oppose  them  by  anything  plausible  from  his  OWE 
etores  of  learning,  or  from  secret  admiration,  Richard  generally 
submitted  to  the  arguments  of  his  coadjutor.  Together  thej 
had  not  only  erected  a  dwelling  for  Marmaduke,  but  they  had 
given,  a  .fashion  to  the  architecture  of  the  whole  county.  The 
composite  order,  Mr.  Doolittle  would  contend,  was  an  order 
composed  of  many  others,  and  was  intended  to  be  the  most 
useful  cf  all,  for  it  admitted  into  its  construction  such  altera- 
tions as  convenience  or  circumstances  might  require.  To 
this  proposition  Richard  usually  assented  ;  and  when  rival 
geniuses,  who  monopolize  not  only  all  the  reputation,  but  most 
of  the  money  of  a  neighbourhood,  are  of  a  mind,  it  is  not  tin- 
common  to  see  them  lead  the  fashion  even  in  graver  matters. 
In  the  present  instance,  as  .we  have  already  hinted,  the  castle,  as 
Judge  Templeton's  dwelling  was  termed  in  common  parlance, 
came  to  be  the  model,  in  some  one  or  other  of  its  numerous 
excellences,  for  every  aspiring  edifice  within  twenty  miles  of  it 

The  house  itself,  or  the  "  lastly,"  was  of  stone  j  large,  square, 
and  far  from  uncomfortable.  TJiese  were  four  requisites  on 
which  Marmaduke  had  insisted  with  a  little  more  than  hia 
ordinary  pertinacity.  But  everything  else  was  peaceably 
assigned  to  Richard  and  his  associate.  These  worthies  found 
the  material  a  little  too  solid  for  the  tools  of  their  workmen, 
which,  in  general,  were  employed  on  a  s'ubstance  no  harder 
than  the  white  pine  of  the  adjacent  mountains,  a  wood  so 
proverbially  soft  that  it  is  commonly  chosen  by  the  hunters 
for  pillows.  But  for  this  awkward  dilemma,  it  is  probable  that 
the  ambitious  tastes  of  our  two  architects  would  .hove  left  v 


26  THE 

much  more  to  do  in  the  way  of  description.  Driven  from  the 
faces  of  the  houses  by  the  obduracy  of  the  material,  they  took 
refuge  in  the  porch  and  on  the  roof.  The  former,  it  was  decided, 
should  be  severely  classical,  and  the  latter  a  rare  specimen  of  the 
merits  of  the  composite  order. 

A  roof,  Richard  contended,  was  a  part  of  the  edifice  that  the- 
ancients  always  endeavoured  to  conceal,  it  being  an  excrescence 
in  architecture  'that  was  only  to  be  tolerated  on  account  of  its 
usefulness.  Besides,  as  he  wittily  added,  a  chief  merit  in  a 
dwelling  was  to  present  a  front,  on  whichever  side  it  might 
happen  to  be  seen  ;  for  as  it  was  exposed  to  all  eyes  in  all 
weathers,  there  should  be  no  weak  flank  for  envy  or  unneigh- 
bourly  criticism  to  assail.  It  was  therefore  decided  that  the 
root"  should  be  flat,  and  with  four  faces.  To  this  arrangement 
Mannaduke  objected  the  heavy  snows  that  lay  for  months, 
frequently  covering  the  earth  to  a  depth  of  three  or  four  feet. 
"Happily,  the  facilities  of  the  composite  order  presented  them- 
selves to  effect  a  compromise,  and  the  rafters  were  lengthened,  so 
as  to  give  a  descent  that  should  carry  off  the  frozen  element.  But 
unluckily  some  mistake  was  made  in  the  admeasurement  of 
these  material  parts  of  the  fabric  ;  and  as  one  of  the  greafe?t 
recommendations  of  Hiram  was  his  ability  to  work  by  the 
"  square  rule,"  no  opportunity  was  found  of  discovering  the  effect 
until  the  massive  timbers  were  raised  on  the  four  walls  of  the 
building.  Thsn,  indeed,  it  was  soon  seen  that,  in  defiance  of  all 
rule,  the  roof  was  by  far  the  most  conspicuous  part  of  the  whole 
edifice.  Richard  and  his  associate  consoled  themselves  with  the 
belief,  that  the  covering  would  aid  in  concealing  this  unnatural 
elevation  ;  but  every  shingle  that  was  laid  only  multiplied  obje  ;t;- 
to  look  at.  Richard  essayed  to  remedy  the  evil  with  paint,  and 
four  different  colours  were  laid  on  by  his  own  hands.  The  first 
wa?  a  sky-blue,  in  the  vain  expectation'  that  the  eye  might  be 
cheated  into  the  belief  it  was  the  heavens  themselves  that  hir.ng 
so  imposingly  over  Marmaduke'a  dwelling  ;  the  second  was  what 
he  called  a  "cloud-colour,"  being  nothing  more  nor  less  than  an 
imitation  of  smoke  ;  the  third  was  what  Richard  termed  an 
invisible  green,  an  experiment  that  did  not  succeed  against  a 
background  of  sky.  Abandoning  the  attempt  to  conceal,  our 
architects  drew  upon  their  invention  for  means  to  ornament,  the 
offensive  shingles.  After  much  deliberation,  and  two  or  throe 
essays  by  moonlight,  Richard  ended  the  affair  by  boldly  covering 
the  whole  beneath  a  colour  that  he  christened  "  sunshine,"  a  ciioap 
way,  as  he  assured  his  cousin  the  Judge,  of  always  keeping  fair 
weather  over  his  head.  The  platform,  aa  well  as  the  eaves  of  the 
house,  were  surmounted  by  gaudily  painted  railings,  and  'Vj 
genius  of  Hiram  was  exerted  in  the  fabrication  of  divera  un •-. 
and  mouldings,  that  were  scattered  profusely  around  this  p"<i  -  ^ 


THE  PIONEERS.  27 

their  latwura.  Ricliaul  had  originally  a  cunning  expedient,  by 
•which  th^  chimneys  were  intended  to  be  so  low,  ami  :o  situated. 
as  to  resemble  ornaments  on  the  balustrades  ;  but  comfort  required 
that  the  chimneys  should  rise  with  the  roof,  in  order  that  the 
smoke  might  be  carried  off,  and  they  thus  became  four  extremely 
conspicuous  objects  in  the  view. 

As  this  roof  was  much  the  most  important  architectural  under- 
taking in  which  Mr  Jones  was  ever  engaged,  his  failure  produced 
a  correspondent  degree  of  mortification.  At  first  he  whispered 
aaiong  his  acquaintances  that  it  proceeded  from  ignorance  of 
the  square  rule  on  the  part  of  Hiram  ;  but  as  his  eye  became 
gradually  accustomed  to  the  object,  he  grew  better  satisfied  with 
his  labours,  and  instead  of  apologising  for  the  defects,  he  com- 
menced praising  the  beauties  of  the  mansion-house.  He  soon 
found  hearers ;  and,  as  wealth  and  comfort  are  at  all  times 
attractive,  it  was,  as  has  been  said,  made  a  model  for  imitation  on 
a  small  scale.  In  less  than  two  years  from  its  erection,  he  had 
the  pleasure  of  standing  on  the  elevated  platform,  and  of  looking 
down  on  three  hmnble  imitators  of  its  beauty.  Thus  it  is  ever 
with  fashion,  which  even  renders  the  faults  of  the  great  subjects 
of  admiration. 

Marmaduke  bore  this  deformity  hi  his  dwelling  with  great 
good  nature,  and  soon  contrived,  by  his  own  improvements,  to 
give  an  air  of  respectability  and  comfort  to  his  place  of  residence. 
Still  there  was  much  of  incongruity  even  immediately  about  the 
mansion-house.  Although  poplars  had  been  brought  from  Europe 
to  ornament  the  grounds,  and  wiilows  and  other  trees  were 
gradually  springing  up  nigh  the  dwelling,  yet  many  a  pile  of 
snow  betrayed  the  presence  of  the  stump  of  a  pine  ;  and  even,  in 
one  or  two  instances,  unsightly  remnants  of  trees  that  had  been 
partly  destroyed  by  fire  were  seen  rearing  their  black,  glistening 
columns  twenty  or  thirty  icet  above  the  pure  white  of  the  snow. 
These,  which  in  the  language  of  the  country  are  termed  stubs, 
abounded  in  the  open  fields  adjacent  to  the  village,  and  were 
accompanied,  occasionally,  by  the  ruin  of  a  pine  or  a  hemlock 
that  had  been  stripped  of  its  bark,  and  which  waved  in  melan- 
choly grandeur  its  naked  limbs  to  the  blast,  a  skeleton  of  its 
former  glory.  But  these  and  many  other  unpleasant  additions  to 
the  view  were  unseen  by  the  delighted  Elizabeth,  who,  as  the 
horses  moved  down  the  side  of  the  mountain,  saw  only  in  gross 
the  cluster  of  houses  that  lay  like  a  map  at  her  feet ;  the  fifty 
smokes  that  were  curling  from  the  valley  to  the  clouds ;  the 
frozen  lake,  as  it  lay  embedded  in  mountains  of  evergreen,  with 
the  lonf  shadows  of  the  pines  on  its  white  surface,  lengthening  in 
the  setting  stra;  the  dark  riband  of  water  that 'gushed  from  the 
outlet,  and  was  winding  its  way  towards  the  distant  Chesapeake 
— *he  altered,  though  still  remembered,  scenes  of  her  childhood. 


28  THE  PIONEERS. 

Five  years  had  wrought  greater  changes  than  a  century  would 
produce  in  countries  where  time  and  labour  have  given  pef- 
manency  to  the  works  of  man.  To  the  .young  hunter  and  the 
Judge  the  scene  had  less  of  novelty ;  though  none  ever  emerge 
from  the  dark  forests  of  that  mountain,  and  witness  the  glorious 
scenery  of  that  beauteous  valley,  as  it  bursts  unexpectedly  upon 
them,  without  a  feeling  of  delight.  The  former  cast  one  admiring 
glance  from  north  to  south,  and  sunk  his  face  again  beneath  the 
iolcls  of  his  coat ;  while  the  latter  contemplated,  with  philan- 
thropic pleasure,  the  prospect  of  affluence  and  comfort  that  was 
expanding  around  him  ;  the  result  of  his  own  enterprise,  and 
much  of  it  the  fruits  of  his  own  industry. 

The  cheerful  sound  of  sleigh-bells,  however,  attracted  the 
attention  of  the  whole  party,  as  they  came  jingling  up  the  .sides 
of  the  mountain,  at  a  rate  that  announced  a  powerful  team  and  a 
hard  driver.  The  bushes  which  lined  the  highway  intemipted 
the  view,  and  the  two  sleighs  were  closed  upon  each  other  before 
either  was  seen. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

How  now?  whose  mare's  dead  ?  what's  toe  matter  T—FA.LSTATT. 

A  LARGE  luinber-sleigh,  drawn  by  lour  norses,  was  soon  see* 
dashing  through  the  leafless  bushes  which  fringed  the  road. 
The  leaders  were  of  grey,  and  the  pole-horses  of  a  jet  black. 
Bells  innumerable  were  suspended  from  every  part  of  the 
harness,  where  one  of  the  tinkling  balls  could  be  placed  ;  while 
the  rapid  movement  of  the  equipage,  in  defiance  of  the  steep 
ascent,  announced  the  desire  of  the  driver  to  ring  them  to  the 
utmost.  The  first  glance  at  this  singular  arrangement  acquainted 
the  Judge  with  the  character  of  those  in  the  sleigh.  It  contained 
four  male  figures.  On  one  of  those  stools  tnat  are  used  at 
writing-deslcs,  lashed  firmly  to  the  sides  of  the  vehicle,  was 
seated  a  little  man,  enveloped  in  a  greatcoat  fringed  with  fur,  in 
such  a  manner  that  no  part  of  him  was  visible  excepting  a  face 
of  an  unvarying  red  colour.  There  was  a  habitual  upward  look 
about  the  head  of  this  gentleman,  as  if  dissatisfied  with  its 
natural  proximity  to  the  earth,  and  the  expression  of  hfs  counten- 
ance was  that  of  busy  care.  He  was  the  charioteer,  and  he  guided 
the  mettled  animals  along  the  precipice  with  a  fearless  eye  and 
a  steady  hand.  Immediately  behind  him,  with  his  face  towards 
the  other  two,  was  a  tall  figure,  to  whose  appearance  not  even  the 
duplicate  overcoats  which  he  wore,  aided  by  the  corner  of.  a 
horse-blanket,  could  give  the  appearance  of  strength.  His  face 
was  protruding  from  beneath  a  woollen  night-cap  ;  and  when  he 
turned  to  the  vehicle  of  Marmaduke,  as  the  sleighs  approached 
each  other,  it  seemed  formed  by  nature  to  cut  the  atmosphere 
with  the  least  possible  resistance.  The  eyes  alone  appeared  to 
create  any  obstacle,  as  from  either  side  of  his  forehead  their  light, 
blue,  glassy  balls  projected.  The  sallow  of  his  countenance  was 
too  permanent  to  be  affected  even  by  the  intense  cold  of  the 
evening.  Opposite  to  this  personage  sat  a  solid,  short,  and  square 
figure.  No  part  of  his  form  was  to  be  discovered  through  his 
over-dress,  but  a  face  that  was  illuminated  by  a  pair  of  black 
eyes,  that  gave  the  lie  to  every  demure  feature  in  his  countenance. 
A  fair,  jolly  wig  furnished  a  neat  and  rounded  outline  to  tia 
visage,  and  he,  as  well  as  the  other  two,  wore  marten-skin  caps. 

29 


30  THE  PIONEERS. 

The  fourth  waa  a  meek-looking,  long-visaged  man,  without  any 
other  protection  from  the  cold  than  that  whK \  was  furnished  by 
a  black  surtout,  made  with  some  little  formality,  but  which  wris 
rather  threadbare  and  rusty.  He  wore  a  hat  of  extremely  decent 
proportions,  though  frequent  brushing  had  quite  destroyed  its 
nap.  His  face  was  pals,  and  withal  a  little  melancholy,  or  what 
might  be  termed  of  a  studious  complexion.  The  air  had  given  it, 
just  now,  a  slight  and  somewhat  feverish  flush.  The  character  of 
his  whole  appearance,  especially  contrasted  to  the  air  of  humour 
in  his  next  companion,  was  that  of  habitual  mental  care.  No 
sooner  had  the  two  sleighs  approached  within  speaking  distance, 
than  the  driver  of  this  fantastic  equipage  shouted  aloud, — 

"  Draw  up  in  the  quarry — draw  up,  thou  king  of  the  Greeks  ; 
draw  into  the  quarry,  Agamemnon,  or  I  shall  never  be  able  to 
pass  you.  Welcome  home,  cousin  'duke — welcome,  welcome, 
black-eyed  Bess.  Thou  seest,  Marmaduke,  that  I  have  taken  the 
field  with  an  assorted  cargo,  to  do  thoe  honour.  Monsieur  Le 
Quoi  has  come  out  with  only  one  cap  ;  Old  Fritz  would  not  stay 
to  finish  the  bottle  ;  and  Mr.  Grant  has  got  to  put  the  ' lastly'  to 
his  sermon  yet.  Even  all  the  horses  would  come — by  the  by, 
Judge,  I  must  sell  the  blacks  for  you  immediately  ;  they  inter- 
fere, and  the  nigh  one  is  a  bad  goer  in  double  harness.  I  can  get 
rid  of  them  to  "— 

"  Sell  what  thou  wilt,  Dickon,"  interrupted  the  cheerful  voice 
of  the  Judge,  "  so  that  thou  leavest  me  my  daughter  and  my 
lands.  Ah  !  Fritz,  my  old  friend,  this  is  a  kind  >  compliment, 
indeed,  for  seventy  to  pay  to  five-and-forty.  Monsieur  Le  Quoi, 
I  am  your  servant  Mr.  Grant,"  lifting  his  cap,  "  I  feel  indebted 
to  your  attention.  Gentlemen,  I  make  you  acquainted  with  my 
child.  Yours  are  names  with  which  she  is  very  familiar.'"' 

"  Velcome,  velcome,  Tchooge,"  said  the  elder  of  the  party,  witn 
a  strong  German  accent  "  Miss  Petsy  vill  owe  me  a  kiss.5' 

"  And  cheerfully  will  I  pay  it,  my  good  sir,"  cried  the  soft  voice 
of  Elizabeth  ;  which  sounded,  in  the  clear  air  of  the  hillr-,  like 
tones  of  silver  amid  the  loud  cries  of  Richard.  "  I  have  always 
a  kiss  for  my  old  friend,  Major  Hartmann." 

By  this  time  the  gentleman  in  the  front  eeat,  who  had  been 
addressed  as  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  had  arisen  with  some  difficulty, 
owing  to  the  impediment  of  his  'overcoats,  and  steadying  himself 
by  placing  one  hand  on  the  stool  of  the  charioteer,  with  the  other 
he  removed  his  cap,  and  bowing  politely  to  the  Judge,  and 
profoundly  to  Elizabeth,  he  paid  his  compliments. 

"  Cover  thy  poll,  Gaul,  cover  thy  poll,"  cried  the  driver,  who 
was  Mr.  Richard  Jones  ;  u  cover  thy  poll,  or  the  frost  will  pluck 
out  the  remnant  of  thy  locks.  Had  the  hairs  on  the  head  of 
Absalom  been  ac  scarce  as  thine,  he  might  have  been  living  to 
this  day."  The  jokes  of  Richard  never  failed  r>f  exciting  risibility, 


TEE  PIONEERS.  31 

for  he  uniformly  did  honour  to  his  own  wit ;  and  he  enjoyed  t 
hearty  Laugh  ou  the  present  occasion,  while  Mr.  Le  Quoi  resumed 
his  seat  with  a  polite  reciprocation  in  his  mirth.  The  clergyman, 
for  such  was  the  office  of  Mr.  Grant,  modestly,  though  quite 
affectionately,  exchanged  his  greetings  with  the  travellers  also, 
when  Richard  prepared  to  turn  the  heads  of  his  horses  home- 
ward. 

It  was  in  the  quarry  alone  that  he  could  effect  this  object, 
without  ascending  to  the  summit  of  the  mountain.  A  very  con- 
siderable excavation  had  been  made  in  the  side  of  the  hill,  at  the 
point  where  Richard  had  succeeded  in  stopping  the  sleighs,  from 
which  the  stones  used  for  building  in  the  village  were  ordinarily 
quarried,  and  in  which  he  now  attempted  to  turn  his  team. 
Passing  itself  was  a  task  of  difficulty,  and  frequently  of  danger,  in 
that  narrow  road  ;  but  Richard  had  to  meet  the  additional  risk 
of  turning  his  four-in-hand.  The  black  civilly  volunteered  his, 
services  to  take  off  the  leaders,  and  the  Judge  very  earnestly 
seconded  the  measure  with  his  advice.  Richard  treated  both 
proposals  with  great  disdain  : 

"Why,  and  wherefore,  cousin  'duke?3  he  exclaimed  a  little 
angrily ;  "  the  horses  are  gentle  as  lambs.  You  know  that  I 
broke  the  leaders  myself  and  the  pole-horses  are  too  near  my 
whip  to  be  restive.  Here  is  Mr.  Le  Quoi,  now,  who  must 
know  something  about  driving,  because  he  has  rode  out  so 
often  with  me ;  I  will  leave  it  to  Mr.  Le  Quoi  whether  there 
is  any  danger." 

It  was  not  in  the  nature  of  the  Frenchman  to  disappoint 
expectations  so  confidently  formed ;  although  he  sat  looking 
down  the  precipice  which  fronted  him,  as  Richard  turned  his 
leaders  into  the  quarry,  with  a  pair  of  eyes  that  stood  out  like 
those  of  lobsters.  The  German's  muscles  Were  unmoved,  but  his 
•quick  sight  scanned  each  movement.  Mr.  Grant  placed  his  hands 
on  the  side  of  the  sleigh,  in  preparation  for  a  spring,  but  moral 
timidity  deterred  him  from  taking  the  leap  that  bodily  apprehen- 
sion strongly  urged  Hn>  to  attempt. 

Richard,  by  a  sudden  application  of  the  whip,  succeeded  in 
forcing  the  leaders  into  the  snow-bank  that  covered  the  quarry  ; 
but  the  instant  that  the  impatient  animals  suffered  by  the  crust, 
through  which  they  broke  at  each  step,  they  positively  refused 
to  move  an~  inch  further  in  that  direction.  On  the  contrary, 
finding  that  the  cries  and  blows  of  their  driver  were  redoubled 
\t  this  juncture,  the  leaders  backed  upon  the  pole-hnrses,  who, 
n  their  turn,  backed  the  sleigh.  Only  a  single  fog  lay'above  the 
pile  which'  upheld  the  road,  on  the  side  toward  the  valley,  and 
this  was  now  buried  in  the  snow.  The  sleigh  was  easily  forced 
across  BO  slight  an  impediment ;  and  before  Richard  became  con- 
scious of  his  danger,  one-half  of  the  vehicle  vaa  projected  oven  a 


33  THL  PIONEERS. 

precipice,  which  fell  perpendicularly  more  than  a  hundred  feet 
The  Frenchman,  who,  by  his  position,  had  a  full  view  of  theit 
threatened  flight,  instinctively  threw  his  body  as  far  forward  as 
possible,  and  cried,  "Ah!  Mou  cher  monsieur  Deeckl  uion  Dieu! 
que  faites  vous  ! " 

"  Donner  and  blitzen,  Richart,"  exclaimed  the  veteran  German, 
looking  over  the  side  of  the  sleigh  with  unusual  emotion,  "  put 
you  wUl  preak  ter  sleigh  and  kilt  ter  horses." 

"Good  Mr.  Jones,"  said  the  clergyman,  "be  prudent,  good  sir 
— be  careful." 

"  Get  up,  obstinate  devils  ! "  cried  Richard,  catching  a  bird's- 
eye  view  of  his  situation,  and,  in  his  eagerness  to  move  forward, 
kicking  the  stool  on  which  he  sat> — "  Get  up,  I  say — Cousin  'duke, 
I  shall  have  to  sell  the  greys  too  ;  they  are  the  worst  broken 
horses — Mr.  Le  Quaw  ! "  Richard  was  too  much  agitated  to 
regard  his  pronunciation,  of  which  he  was  commonly  a  little 
vain  ;  "  Monsieur  Le  Quaw,  pray  get  off  my  leg  ;  you  hold  my 
leg  so  tight,  that  it's  no  wonder  the  horses  back." 

"Merciful  Providence  !"  exclaimed  the  Judge,  "they  will  be 
all  killed ! " 

Elizabeth  gave  a  piercing  shriek,  and  the  black  of  Agamemnon'a 
face  changed  to  a  muddy  white. 

At  this  critical  moment,  the  young  hunter,  who,  during  the 
salutations  of  the  parties,  had  sat  in  wither  sullen  silence,  sprang 
from  the  sleigh  of  Marmaduke  to  the  heads  of  the  refractory 
leaders.  The  horses,  who  were  yet  suffering  under  the  inju- 
dicious and  somewhat  random  blows  of  Richard,  were  dancing 
up  and  down  with  that  ominous  movement,  that  threatens  a 
sudden  and  uncontrollable  start,  still  pressing  backward.  The 
youth  gave  the  leaders  a  powerful  jerk,  and  they  plunged  aside, 
and  re-entered  the  road  in  the  position  in  which  they  were  first 
halted.  The  sleigh  was  whirled  from  its  dangerous  position,  and 
upset  with  the  runners  outwards.  The  German  and  the  divine 
were  thrown,  rather  unceremoniously,  into  the  highway,  but 
without  danger  to  their  bones.  Richard  appeared  in  the  air, 
describing  the  segment  of  a  circle,  of  which  the  reins  were  the 
radii,  and  landed  at  the  distance  of  some  fifteen  feet,  in  that 
snow-bank  which  the  horse  had  dreaded,  right  end  uppermost. 
Here,  as  he  instinctively  grasped  the  reins,  as  drowning  men 
seize  at  straws,  he  admirably  served  the  purpose  of  an  anchor. 
The  Frenchman,  who  was  on  his  legs  in  the  act  of  springing  from 
the  sleigh,  took  an  ae'rial  flight  also,  much  in  the  attitude  which 
boys  assume  when  they  play  leap-frog,  and  flying  off  in  a  tangent 
to  the  curvature  of  his  course,  came  into  the  snow-bank  head 
foremost,  where  he  remained,  exhibiting  two  lathy  legs  on  high, 
like  scarecrows  waving  in  a  corn-field.  Major  Hartmann,  whose 
had  been  admirably  preserved  during  the  whole 


THE  PIONEERS.  33 

evolution,  was  the  first  of  the  party  that  gained  his  feet  and  his 
voice. 

"  Ter  deyvel,  Richart  1 "  he  exclaimed,  in  a  voice  half  serious, 
half  comical,  "  put  you  unloat  your  sleigh  very  hantily." 

It  may  be  doubtful  whether  the  attitude  in  which  Mr.  Grant 
continued  for  aa.  instant  after  his  overthrow  was  the  one  into 
which  he  had  been  thrown,  or  was  assumed,  in  humbling  himself 
before  the  Power  that  he  reverenced,  in  thanksgiving  at  his 
escape.  When  he  rose  from  his  knees,  he  began  to  gaze  about 
him,  with  anxious  looks,  after  the  welfare  of  his  companions, 
while  every  joint  in  his  body  trembled  with  nervous  agitation. 
There  was  some  confusion  in  the  faculties  of  Mr.  Jones,  also ; 
but  as  the  mist  gradually  cleared  from  before  his  eyes,  he  saw 
that  all  was  safe,  and  with  an  air  of  great  self-satisfaction  he 
cried,  "  Well — that  was  neatly  saved,  anyhow  ! — it  was  a  lucky 
thought  in  me  to  hold  on  the  reins,  or  the  fiery  devils  would 
have  been  over  the  mountain  by  this  time.  How  well  I 
recovered  myself,  'duke !  Another  moment  would  have  been 
too  late /-but  I  knew  just  the  spot  where  to  touch  the  off- 
leader  j  that  blow  under  his-  right  flank,  and  the  sudden  jerk 
I  gave  the  reins,  brought  them  round  quite  in  rule,  I  must 
own  myself." * 

"Thou  jerk!  thou  recover  thyself,  Dickon  1"  he  said;  "but 
for  that  brave  lad  yonder,  thou  and  thy  horses,  or  rather  mine, 
would  have  been  dashed  to  pieces ;  —but  where  is  Monsieur  Le 
Quoi?" 

"  Oh  I  mon  cher  Jugc !  Mon  ami  t "  cried  a  smothered  voice, 
"praise  be  God,  I  live  ;  vill  you,  Mister  Agamemnon,  be  pleaa 
come  down  ici,  and  help  me  on  my  leg  ?  " 

The  divine  and  the  negro  seized  the  incarcerated  Gaul  by  his 
legs,  and  extricated  him  from  a  snow-bank  of  three  feet  in  depth, 
whence  his  voice  had  sounded  as  from  the  tombs.  The  thoughts 
of  Mr.  Le  Quoi,  immediately  on  his  liberation,  were  not  extremely 
collected ;  and  when  he  reached  the  light,  he  threw  his  eyes' 
upwards,  in  order  to  examine  the  distance  he  had  fallen.  His 
good  humour  returned,  however,  with  a  knowledge  of  his  safety, 
though  it  was  some  little  time  before  be  clearly  comprehended 
the  case. 

"What,  monsieur,"  said  Richard,  who  was  busily  assisting 
the  black  in  taking  off  the  leaders;  "are  you  there?  I 
thought  I  saw  you  flying  towards  the  top  of  the  mountain  just 
now. 

"  Prais*  b«  God,  f  no  fly  down  into  de  lake,"  returned  the 
Frauihman,  with  A  visage-  that  was  divided  between  pain, 

1  The  spectators,  from  immemorial  nusge,  have  a  right  to  laugh  at  the  casualties 
«f  a  sisigh-ride ;  and  the  Judge  was  no  sooner  certain  that  no  harm  was  done,  then 
fee  njAde  foil  use  of  the  privilege. 


84  THE  PIONEERS. 

occasioned  by  a  few  large  scratches  that  he  had  received 
in  forcing  his  head  through  the  crust,  and  the  look  of  com- 
plaisance that  seemed  natural  to  his  pliable  features:  "ah! 
raon  cher  Mister  Deeck,  vat  you  do  next  ? — dere  be  noting  you 
no  try." 

"The  next  thing,  I  trust,  will  be  to  learn  to  drive,"  said 
the  Judge,  who  had  busied  himself  in  throwing  the  buck, 
together  with  several  articles  of  baggage,  from  his  own  sleigh 
into  the  snow ;  "  here  are  seats  for  you  all,  gentlemen  ;  the 
evening  grows  piercingly  cold,  and  tha  hour  approaches  for  the 
service  of  Mr.  Grant :  we  will  leave  friend  Jones  to  repair  the 
damages,  with  the  assistance  of  Agamemnon,  and  hasten  to  a 
warm  fire.  Here,  Dickon,  are  a  few  articles  of  Bess's  trumpery, 
that  you  can  throw  into  your  sleigh  when  ready,  and  there  is 
also  a  deer  of  my  taking,  that  I  will  thank  you  to  bring. — 
Aggy!  remember  there  will  be  a  visit  from  Santaclaus1  to- 
night." 

The  black  grinned,  conscious  of  the  bribe  that  was  offered  him 
for  silence  on  the  subject  of  the  deer,  while  Eichard,  without  in 
the  least  waiting  for  the  termination  of  his  cousin's  speech,  began 
his  reply, — 

"  Learn  to  drive,  sayest  thou,  cousin  'duke  ?  Is  there  a  man 
in  the  county  who  knows  more  of  horse-flesh  than  myself?  Who 
broke  in  the  filly,  that  no  one  else  dare  mount?  though  youi 
coachman  did  pretend  that  he  had  tamed  her  before  I  took  her 
in  hand  ;  but  anybody  could  see  that  he  lied — he  was  a  great 
liar,  that  John — what's  that,  a  buck  ? ;> — Richard  abandoned  the 
horses,  and  ran  to  the  spot  where  Marmaduke  had  thrown  the 
deer :  "  It  is  a  buck  !  I  am  amazed  !  Yes,  here  are  two  holes  in 
him,  he  has  fired  both  barrels,  and  hit  him  each  time.  Ecod ! 
how  Marmaduke  will  brag !  he  is  a  prodigious  bragger  about  any 
small  matter  like  this  now  ;  well,  to  think  that  'duke  has  killed 
a  buck  before  Christmas  !  There  will  be  no  such  thing  as  living 
with  him — they  are  both  bad  shots,  though,  mere  chance — mere 
chance  ; — now,  I  never  fired  twice  at  a  cloven  hoof  in  my  life  ; — 
it  is  hit  or  miss  with  me — dead  or  run  away : — had  it  been  a 
bear,  or  a  wild  cat,  a  man  might  have  wanted  both  barrels. 
Here  1  you  Aggy  1  how  far  off  was  the  Judge  when  this  buck  was 
shot?" 

"'Eh  !  Massa  Richard,  maybe  a  ten  roa,"  cried  the  black,  bend- 
ing under  one  of  the  horses,  with  the  pretence  of  fastening  a 
buckle,  but  in  reality  to  conceal  the  grin  that  opened  a  mouth 
from  ear  to  ear. 

•  The  periodical  vitita  of  St.  Nicholas,  or  Santaclaus  as  be  It  termed,  wen  nerer 
forgotten  among  the  inhabitants  of  New  York,  nntil  the  emigration  from  New 
England  brought  in  the  opinion  and  usa£>  -  of  the  Puritans.  Like  the  "  bon  hoomia 
de  Noel,"  he  arrives  on  each  Christinas  eve, 


PIONEERS.  3fl 

"  Ten  rod  1  *  echoed  the  other  ;  "  why,  Aggy,  the  deer  I  killed 
last  winter  \vas  at  twenty — yes !  if  anything  it  was  nearer  thirty 
than  twenty.  I  wouldn't  shoot  at  a  deer  at  ten  rod :  besides,  you 
may  remember,  Aggy,  I  only  fired  once." 

"  Yes,  Massa  Richard,  I  'member  'em !  Natty  Bumppo 
fire  t'oder  gun.  You  know,  sir,  all  'e  folk  say  Natty  kill 
him." 

"  The  folks  lie,  you  black  devil ! "  exclaimed  Richard  in  great 
heat  "  I  have  not  shot  even  a  grey  squirrel  these  four  years, 
to  which  that  old  rascal  has  not  laid  claim,  or  some  one  for  him. 
This  is  a  damn'd  envious  world  that  we  live  in — people  are 
always  for  dividing  the  credit  of  a  thing,  in  order  to  bring  down 
merit  to  their  own  level.  Now  they  have  a  story  about  the 
Patent,1  that  Hiram  Doolittle  helped  to  plan  the  steeple  to  St. 
Paul's ;  when  Hiram  knows  that  it  is  entirely  mine ;  a  little  taken 
from  a  print  of  its  namesake  in  London,  I  own  ;  but  essentially, 
as  to  all  points  of  genius,  my  own." 

"  I  don't  know  where  he  come  from,"  said  the  black,  losing 
every  mark  of  humour  in  an  expression  of  admiration, "  but  eb  ry 
body  say,  he  wonnerful  hansome." 

"  And  well  they  may  say  so,  Aggy,"  cried  Richard,  leaving  the 
buck  and  walking  up  to  the  negro  with  the  air  of  a  man  who  has 
new  interest  awakened  within  him.  "  I  think  I  may  say,  with- 
out bragging,  that  it  is  the  handsomest  and  most  scientific  country 
church  in  America.  I  know  that  the  Connecticut  settlers  talK 
about  their  Weathersfield  meeting-house ;  but  I  never  believe 
more  than  half  what  they  say,  they  are  such  unconscionable 
braggers.  Just  as  you  have  got  a  thing  done,  if  they  see  it 
likely  to  be  successful,  they  are  always  for  interfering ;  and  then 
it's  ten  to  one  but  they  lay  claim  to  Balf,  or  even  all  of  the 
credit.  You  may  remember,  Aggy,  when  I  painted  the  sign  of 
the  bold  dragoon  for  Captain  Hollister,  there  was  that  fellow  who 
was  about  town  laying  brick  dust  on  the  houses  came  one  day 
and  offered  to  mix  what  I  call  the  streaky  black,  for  the  tail  and 
mane,  and  then,  because  it  looks  like  horse  hair,  he  tells  every- 
body that  the  sign  was  painted  by  himself  and  Squire  Jones.  If 
Marrnaduke  don^t  send  that  fellow  off  the  Patent,  he  may  orna- 
ment his  village  with  his  own  hands,  for  me."  Here  Richard 
paused  a  moment,  and  cleared  his  throat  by  a  loud  hem,  while 
the  negro,  who  was  all  this  time  busily  engaged  in  preparing  the 
sleigh,  proceeded  with  his  work"  in  respectful  silence.  Owing  to 
the  religious  scruples  of  the  Judge,  Aggy  was  the  servant  of 

i  The  grants  of  land,  made  either  by  the  Crown  or  the  State,  were  by  letters 
patent  Tinder  the  Great  Seal,  and  the  term  "  Patent "  Is  usually  applied  to  any  dis- 
trict of  extent  thus  conceded.  Though  under  the  Crown,  manorial  rights  being 
often  granted  with  the  soil,  in  the  older  counties  the  word  "manor  "  is  frequently 
used.  There  are  many  "  manors"  in  New  York,  though  all  political  and  judicial 
rights  have  ceasa*. 


M  THE  PIONEERS. 

Richard,  who  had  his  services  for  a  time,-  and  who,  of  course, 
commanded  a  legal  claim  to  the  respect  of  the  young  negro. 
But  when  any  dispute  between  his  lawful  and  his  real  roaster 
occurred,  the  black  felt  too  much  deference  for  both  to  express 
any  opinion.  In  the  meanwhile  Richard  continued  watching 
the  negro  as  he  fastened  buckle  after  buckle,  until,  stealing  a 
look  of  consciousness  toward  the  other,  he  continued,  "  Now,  u 
that  young  man,  who  was  in  your  sleigh,  is  a  real  Connecticut 
settler,  he  will  be  telling  everybody  how  he  saved  my  horsee, 
when,  if  he  had  let  them  alone  for  half  a  minute  longer,  I  would 
have  brought  them  in  much  better,  without  upsetting,  with  the 
whip  and  rein  —  it  spoils  a  horse  to  give  him  his  head.  I 
should  not  wonder  if  I  had  to  sell  the  whole  team,  just  for  that 
one  jerk  he  gave  them."  Richard  paused,  and  hemmed  ;  for  his 
conscience  smote  him  a  little,  for  censuring  a  man  who  had  just 
saved  hia  life  : — "  Who  is  the  lad,  Aggy — I  don't  remember  to 
have  seen  him  before  ? " 

The  black  recollected  the  hint  about  Santaclaus ;  and  while 
he  briefly  explained  how  they  had  taken  up  the  person  in  ques- 
tion on  the  top  of  the  mountain,  he  forbore  to  add  anything 
concerning  the  accident  of  the  wound,  only  saying  that  he 
believed  the  youth  was  a  stranger.  It  was  so  usual  for  men  of 
the  first  rank  to  take,  into  their  sleighs  any  one  they  found 
toiling  through  the  snow,  that  Richard  was  perfectly  satisfied 
with  this  explanation.  He  heard  Aggy  with  great  attention, 
and  then  remarked,  "  Well,  if  the  lad  has  not  been  spoiled  by 
the  people  in  Templeton,  he  may  be  a  modest  young  man, 
and  as  he  certainly  meant  well,  I  shall  take  some  notice  of  him 
— perhaps  he  is  land-hunting  —  I  say,  Aggy,  maybe  he  is  out 
hunting  ? " 

"Eh  !  yes,  massa  Richard,"  said  the  black,  a  little  confused-; 
.for  as  Richard  did  all  the  flogging,  he  stood  in  great  terror  of 
his  master,  in  the  main  : — "  Yes,  sir,  I  b'lieve  he  be." 

"  Had  he  a  pack  and  an  axe  1 " 

"  No,  sir,  only  he  rifle." 

"  Rifle  ! "  exclaimed  Richard,  observing  the  confusion  of  th« 
negro,  which  now  amounted  to  terror.  "By  Jove,  he  killed  the 
deer  \  I  knew  that  Marmaduke  couldn't  kill  a  buck  on  the  jump 
— how  was  it,  Aggy  ?  tell  me  all  about  it,  and  I'll  roast  'duke 

i  The  manumission  of  the  slaves  in  New  York  has  been  gradual.  When  publie 
opinion  became  strong  in  their  favour,  then  grew  up  a  custom  of  buying  the 
serviow  of  a  slave,  for  six  or  eight  years,  with  a  condition  to  liberate  him  at  the 
end  of  the  period.  Then  the  law  provided  that  all  born  after  a  certain  day  should 
be  fires,  the  males  at  twenty  eight,  and  the  females  at  twenty-five.  After  this  the 
owner  was  obliged  to  cause  his  servants  to  be  taught  to  read  and  .write  before  they 
reached  the  age  of  eighteen,  and,  finally,  the  few  that  remained  were  all  uncon- 
ditionally liberated  in  1S26,  or  after  the  publication  of  this  tale.  It  was  quta 
usual  for  men  more  or  less  connected  with  the  Quakers,  who  never  held  slave*,  to 
adopt  the  first  expedient. 


THE  PIONEERS.  37 

quicker  than  he  can  roast  his  saddle — How  was  it,  Aggy  :  the 
Hid  shot  the  buck,  and  the  Judge  bought  it,  ha  !  and  h«  is  taking 
the  youth  down  to  get  the  pay?" 

The  pleasure  of  this  discovery  had  put  Richard  in  such  a  good 
humour,  that  the  negro's  fears  in  some  measure  vanished,  and 
he  remembered  tha  stocking  of  Santaclaus.  After  a  gulp  or  twa, 
he  made  out  to  reply — 

**  You  forgit  a  two  shot,  sir  ? " 

"Don't  lie,  you  black  rascal !  '  cried  Richard,  stepping  on  the 
snow-bank  to  measure  the  distance  from  his  lash  to  the  negro's 
back  ;  "  speak  truth,  or  I  trounce  you."  While  speaking,  the 
stock  was  slowly  rising  in  Richard's  right  hand,  and  the  lash 
drawing  through  his  left,  in  the  scientific  manner  with  which 
.drummers  apply  the  cat,  and  Agamemnon,  after  turning  each 
side  ef  himself  towards  his  master,  and  finding  both  equally 
unwilling  to  remain  there,  fairly  gave  in.  In  a  very  few  words 
he  made  his  master  acquainted  with  the  truth,  at  the  same  time 
earnestly  conjuring  Richard  to  protect  him  from  the  displeasure 
of  the  Judge. 

"I'll  do  it,  boy,  111  do  it,"  cried  the  other,  nibbing  his  hands 
with  delight ;  "  say  nothing,  but  leave  me  to  manage  'duke  : — I 
have  a  great  mind  to  leave  the  deer  on  the  hill,  and  to  make  the 
fellow  send  for  his  own  carcase  :  but  no,  I  will  let  Marmaduke 
tell  a  few  bouncers  about  it  before  I  come  out  upon  him.  Come, 
hurry  in,  Aggy,  I  must  help  to  dress  the  lad's  wound ;  this 
Yankee  l  doctor  knows  nothing  of  surgery — I  had  to  hold  old 
Milligan's  leg  for  him,  while  he  cut  it  off." — Richard  was  now 
seated  on  the  stool  again,  and.  the  black  taking  the  hind  seal,  the 
steeds  were  put  in  motion  towards  home.  As  they  dashed  down 
the  hill,  on  a  fast  trot,  the  driver  occasionally  turned  his  face 
to  Aggy,  and  continued  speaking  ;  for,  notwithstanding  their 
recent  rupture,  the  most  perfect  cordiality  was  again  existing 
between  them.  "  This  goes  to  prove  that  I  turned  the  horses 
with  the  reius,  for  no  man  who  is  shot  in  the  right  shoulder  can 
have  strength  enough  to  bring  round  such  obstinate  devils.  I 
knew  I  did  it  from  the  first ;  but  I  did  not  want  to  multiply 
words  with  Marmaduke  about  it. — Will  you  bite,  you  villain  ? 
— hip,  boys,  hip  1  Old  Natty,  too,  that  is  the  best  of  it ! — Well, 
well — 'duke  will  say  no  more  about  my  deer — and  the  Judge 
fired  both  barrels,  and  hit  nothing  but  a  poor  lad,  who  was 
behind  a  pine  tree.  I  must  help  that  quack  to  take  out  the 

i  In  America  the  term  Yankee  is  of  local  meaning.  It  la  thought  to  be  derived 
from  the  manner  in  which  the  Indians  of  New  England  pronounced  the  word 
"English"  or  "Yengees*.1*  New  York  being  originally  a  Dutch  province,  the 
term  of  course  was  not  known  t*here;  and  farther  south  different  dialects  among 
the  natives  themselves  probably  produced  a  different)  pronunciation.  Warms- 
duke  and  his  cousin  beUte  Pennsylvaniana  by  birth,  ww>  not  Yankee*  in  tte 
American  sen^e  of  the  wow. 


38  TEE  PIONEERS. 

buckshot  for  the  poor  fellow."  [n  this  manner  Richard  de- 
scended the  mountain ;  the  bells  ringing,  and  his  tongue  going, 
until  they  entered  the  village,  when  the  whole  attention  of  the 
driver  was  devoted  to  a  display  of  his  horsemanship,  to  the 
admiration  of  all  the  gaping  women  and  children  who  thronged 
the  windows  to  witness  the  arrival  of  their  landlord  and  his 
daughter. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Nathaniel's  coat,  sir,  was  not  fully  made. 

And  Gabriel's  pumps  were  all  unpink'd  i'  th'  heel ; 

There  was  no  link  to  colour  Peter's  hat, 

And  Walter's  dagger  was  not  come  from  sheathing : 

There  were  none  fine,  but  Adam,  Ralph,  and  Gregory. 

SHAKSPEARI. 

AFTER  -winding  along  the  side  of  the  mountain,  the  road,  on 
reaching  the  geiitle  declivity  which  lay  at  the  base  of  the  hill, 
turned  at  a  right  angle  to  its  former  course,  and  shot  down  an 
inclined  plane,  directly  into  the  village  of  Templeton.  The 
rapid  little  stream,  that  we  have  already  mentioned,  was  crossed 
by  a  bridge  of  hewn  timber,  which  manifested,  by  its  rude  con- 
struction, and  the  unnecessary  size  of  its  framework,  both  the 
value  of  labour  and  the  abundance  of  materials.  This  little 
torrent,  whose  dark  waters  gushed  over  the  limestones  that  lined 
its  bottom,  rvas  nothing  less  than  one  of  the  many  sources  of  the 
Susquehanna  ;%  a  river  to  which  the  Atlantic  herself  has  extended 
an  arm  in  welcome.  It  was  at  this  point  that  the  powerful 
team  of  Mr.  Jones  brought  him  up  to  the  more  sober  steeds  of 
our  travellers.  A  small  hill  was  risen,  and  Elizabeth  found 
herself  at  once  amid  tke  incongruous  dwellings  of  the  village. 
The  street  was  of  the  ordinary  width,  notwithstanding  the  eye 
might  embrace,  in  one  view,  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  of 
acres,  that  were  yet  tenanted  only  by  the  beasts  of  the  forest. 
But  such  had  been  the  will  of  her  father,  and  such  had  also  met 
the  wishes  of  his  followers.  To  them  the  road  that  made  the 
most  rapid  approaches  to  the  condition  of  the  old,  or  as  they 
expressed  it,  the  down  countries,  was  the  most  pleasant;  and 
surely  nothing  could  look  more  like  civilization  than  a  city,  even 
if  it  lay  in  a  wilderness  !  The  width  of  the  street,  for  so  it  was 
called,  might  have  been  100  feet ;  but  the  tract  for  the  sleighs 
was  much  more  limited.  On  either  side  of  the  highway  were 
railed  huge  heaps  of  logs,  that  were  daily  increasing  rather  than 
diminishing  in  size,  notwithstanding  the  enormous  fires  that 
might  be  seen  through  every  window. 

The  last  object  at  which  Elizabeth  gazed  when  they  renewed 
their  journey,  after  the  rencontre  with  Richard,  was  the  sun,  as  it 

expanded  in  the  refraction  of  the  horizon,  and  over  whose  dis« 

so 


40  TffK  PIONEERS 

the  dark  umbrage  of  a  pine  was  stealing,  while  it  slowly  *unk 
behind  the  western  hills.  But  his  setting  rays  darted  along  the 
openings  of  the  mountain  she  was  on,  and  lighted  the  shining 
covering  of  the  birches,  until  their  smooth  and  glossy  coats 
nearly  rivalled  the  mountain-sides  in  colour.  The  outline  of 
each  dark  pine  was  delineated  far  in  the  depths  of  the  forest ; 
and  the  rocks,  too  smooth  and  too  perpendicular  to  retain  the 
snow  that  had  fallen,  brightened,  as  if  smiling  at  the  leave- 
taking  of  the  luminary.  But  at  each  step,  as  they  descended, 
Elizabeth  observed  that  they  were  leaving  the  day  behind  them. 
Even  the  heartless  but  bright  rays  of  a  December  sun  were 
missed,  as  they  glided  into  the  cold  gloom  of  the  valley.  Along 
the  summits  of  the  mountains  in  the  eastern  range,  it  is  true,  the 
light  still  lingered,  receding  step  by  step  from  the  earth  into  the 
clouds  that  were  gathering,  with  the  evening  mist,  about  the 
limited  horizon ;  but  the  frozen  lake  lay  without  a  shadow  on 
its  bosom ;  the  dwellings  were  becoming  already  gloomy  and 
indistinct ;  and  the  woodcutters  were  shouldering  their  axes, 
and  preparing  to  enjoy,  throughout  the  long  evening  before 
them,  the  comforts  of  those  exhilarating  fires  that  their  labour 
had  been  supplying  with  fuel.  They  paused  only  to  gaze  at  the 
passing  sleighs,  to  lift  their  caps  to  Marmaduke,  to  exchange 
1'amiliai1  nods  with  Richard,  and  each  disappeared  in  his  dwell- 
ing. The  paper  curtains  dropped  behind  our  travellers  in  every 
window,  shutting  from  the  air  even  the  fire-light  of  the  cheerful 
apartments ;  and  when  the  horses  of  her  father  turned,  with  a  rapid 
whirl,  into  the  open  gate  of  the  maneion-house,  and  nothing  stood 
before  her  but  the  cold  dreary  stone- walls  of  the  building,  as  she 
approached  them  through  an  avenue  of  young  and  leafless 
poplars,  Elizabeth  felt  as  if  all  the  loveliness  of  the  mountain 
view  had  vanished  like  the  fancies  of  a  dream.  Marmaduke 
retained  so  much  of  his  early  habits  as  to  reject  the  use  of  bells  ; 
but  the  equipage  of  Mr.  Jones  came  dashing  through  the  gate 
after  them,  sending  its  jingling  sounds  through  every  cranny 
of  the  building,  and  in  a  moment  the  dwelling  was  in  an  uproar. 
On  a  stone  platform,  of  rather  small  proportions,  considering 
the  size  of  the  building,  Richard  and  HirAm  had  conjointly 
reared  four  little  columns  of  wood,  which  in  their  turn  supported 
the  shingled  roofs  of  the  portico — this  was  the  name  that  Mr. 
Jones  had  thought  proper  to  give  to  a  very  plain,  covered 
entrance  The  ascent  to  the  platform  was  by  five  or  six  stone 
steps,  somewhat  hastily  laid  together,  and  which  the  frost  had 
already  begun  to  move  from  their  symmetrical  positions.  But 
the  evils  of  a  cold  climate,  and  .a  superficial  construction,  did  not 
end  here.  As  the  steps  lowered,  the  platform  necessarily  fell 
also,  and  the  foundations  actually  left  the  superstructure  sus- 
pended in  the  air,  leaving  an  ope"^  space  of  a  foot  between  the 


THE  PIOXEERS.  31 

base;  of  the  pillars  and  the  stones  on  which  they  had  originally 
bee$  placed.  It  was  lucky  for  the  whole  fabric  that  the 
carpenter,  who  did  the  manual  part  of  the  labour,  had  fastened 
the  jCanopy  of  this  classic  entrance  so  firmly  to  the  side  of  the 
house,  that,  when  the  base, deserted  the  superstructure  in  the 
manner  we  have  described,  and  the  pillars,  for  the  want  of  a 
foundation,  were  no  longer  of  service  to  support  the  roof,  the 
roof  was  able  to  uphold  the  pillars.  Here  was,  indeed,  an  un- 
fortunate gap  left  in  the  ornamental  part  of  Richard's  column  ; 
but,  like  the  window  in  Aladdin's  palace,  it  seemed  only  left  in 
order  to  prove  the  fertility  of'  its  master's  resources.  The  com- 
posite order  again  offered  its  advantages,  and  a  second  edition  of 
the  base  was  given,  as  the  booksellers  say,  with  additions  and 
improvements.  It  was  necessarily  larger,  and  it  was  properly 
ornamented  with  mouldings  :  still  the  steps  continued  to  yield, 
and,  at  the  moment  when  Elizabeth  returned  to  her  father's 
door,  a  few  rough  wedges  were  driven  under  the  pillars  to  keep 
them  steady,  and  to  prevent  their  weight  from  separating  them 
from  the  pediment  which  they  ought  to  have  supported. 

From  the  great  door  which  opened  into  the 'porch  emerged 
two  or  three  female  domestics,  and  one  male.  The  latter  was 
bare-headed,  but  evidently  more  dressed  than  usual,  and  in  the 
whole  was  of  .so  singular  a  formation  and  attire  as  to  deserve  a 
more  minute- description.  He  was  about  five  feet  in  height,  of  a 
square  and  alh*  letic  frame,  with  a  pair  of  shoulders  that  would 
have  fitted  a  grenadier.  His  low  stature  was  rendered  the  more 
striking1  by  a  bend  forward  that  he  was  in  the  habit  of  assuming, 
for  no  apparent  reason,  unless  it  might  be  to  give  greater  freedom 
to  his  arms,  in  a  particularly  sweeping  swing,  that  they  con- 
stantly practised  when  their  master  was  in  motion.  His  face 
was  long,  of  a  fair  complexion,  burnt  to  a  fiery  red  ;  with  a  snub 
nose,  cocked  into  an  inveterate  pug ;  a  mouth  of  enormous 
dimensions,  filled  with  fine  teeth  ;  and  a  pair  of  blue  eyes,  that- 
seemed  to  look  about  them,  on  surrounding  objects,  with  habitual 
contempt.  His  head  composed  full  one-fourth  of  his  whole 
length,  and  the  queue  that  depended  from  its  rear  occupied 
another.  He  wore  a  coat  of  very  light  drab  cloth,  with  buttons 
a  3  large  as  dollars,  bearing  the  impression  of  a  "  foul  anchor." 
The  skirts  were  extremely  long,  reaching  qxiite  to  the  calf,  and 
were  'broad  in  proportion.  Bentath  there  were  a  vest  and 
breeches  of  red  plush,  somewhat  worn  and  soiled.  He  had  shoes 
with  large  buckles,  and  stockings  of  blue  and  white  stripes. 

This  odd-looking  figure  reported  himself  to  be  a  native  of  the 
county  of  Cornwall,  in  the  island  of  Great  Britain.  His  boyhood 
had  passed  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  tin  mines,  and  his  youth 
as  the  cabin-boy  of  a  smuggler  between  Faimouth  and  Guernsey. 
From  this  trp.de  hs  had  i  \  into  ths  service  < . 


4:  T&£  PIONL. 

kiUji,  uutl,  for  the  want  of  a  better,  had  been  taken  into  tua 
cabin,  first  a •-  a,  servant,  and  finally  as  steward  to  the,  captain. 
Here  he  acquired  the  art  of  making  chowder,  lobskous,  and  ona 
or  two  other  sea-dishes,  and,  as  he  was  fond  of  saying,  had  an 
opportunity  of  seeing  the  world.  With  the  exception  of  one  or 
two  out-ports  in  France,  and  an  occasional  visit  to  Portsmouth, 
Plymouth,  and  Deal,  he  had  in  reality  seen  no  more  of  mankind, 
however,  than  if  he  had  been  riding  a  donkey  in  one  of  his 
native  mines.  But,  being  discharged  from  the  navy  at  the  peace 
of  '83,  he  declared,  that,  as  he  had  seen  all  the  civilized  parts  of 
the  earth,  he  was  inclined  to  make  a  trip  to  the  wilds  of  America. 
We  will  not  trace  him  in  his  brief  wanderings,  under  the  influ- 
ence of  that  spirit  of  emigration,  that  sometimes  induces  a  dapper 
Cockney  to  quit  his  home,  and  lands  him,  before  the  sound  oi 
Bow  bells  is  fairly  out  of  his  ears,  within  the  roar  of  the  cataract 
of  Niagara,  but  shall  only  add,  that,  at  a  very  early  day,  even 
before  Elizabeth  had  been  sent  to  school,  he  had  found  his  way 
into  the  family  of  Marmaduke  Temple,  where,  owing  to  a  com- 
bination of  qualities  that  will  be  developed  in  the  course  of  the 
tale,  he  held,  under  Mr.  Jones,  the  office  of  major-domo.  The 
name  of  this  worthy  was  Benjamin  Penguillan,  according  to  his 
own  pronunciation  ;  but,  owing  to  a  marvellous  tale  that  he  was 
in  the  habit  of  relating,  concerning  the  length  of  time  he  had  to 
labour  to  keep  his  ship  from  sinking  after  Rodney's  victory,  he 
had  universally  acquired  the  nickname  of  Ben  Pump. 

By  the  side  of  Benjamin,  and  pressing  forward  as  if  a  little 
jealous  of  her  station,  stood  a  middle-aged  woman,  dressed-  in 
calico,  rather  violently  contrasted  in  colour,  with  a  tall,  meagre, 
shapeless  figure,  sharp  features,  and  a  somewhat  acute  expression 
of  her  physiognomy.  Her  teeth  were  mostly  gone,  and  what  did 
"remain  were  of  a  light  yellow.  The  skin  of  her  nose  was  drawn 
tightly  over  the  member,  to  hang  in  large  wrinkles  in  her  cheeks 
and  about  her  mouth.  Sh"  e  took  snuff  in  such  quantities  as  to 
create  the  impression  that  she  owed  the  saffron  of  her  lips  and 
the  adjacent  parts  to  this  circumstance  ;  but  it  was  the  unvarying 
colour  of  her  whole  face.  She  presided  over  the  female  part  of 
the  domestic  arrangements,  in  the  capacity  of  housekeeper  ;  was 
a  spinster,  and  bore  the  name  of  Remarkable  Pettibone.  To 
Elizabeth  she  was  an  entire  stranger,  having  been  introduced 
into  the  family  since  the  death  of  her  mother. 

In  addition  to  these,  were  three  or  four  subordinate  menials, 
mostly  black,  some  appearing  at  the  principal  door,  and  some 
running  from  the  end  of  the  building,  where  stood  the  entrance 
to  the  cellar-kitchen. 

Besides  these,  there  was  a  general  rush  from  Richard's  kennel, 
accompanied  with  every  canine  tone,  from  the  howl  of  the  wolf- 
og  to  the  petulant  bark  of  the  terrier.  The  master  received 


THE  PIONEERS.  43 

their  boisterous  salutations  with  a  variety  of  imitations  from  his 
own  throat,  when  the  clogs,  probably  from  shame  at  being  out- 
done, ceased  their  outcry.  One  stately,  powerful  mastiff,  who 
wore  around  his  neck  a  brass  collar,  with  "M.  T."  engraved  in 
large  letters  on  the  rim,  alone  was  silent.  He  walked  majestically, 
amid  the  confusion,  to  thu  side  of  the  Judge,  where,  receiving  a 
kind  pat  or  two,  he  turned  to  Elizabeth,  who  even  stooped  to 
kiss  him,  as  she  called  him  kindly  by  the  name  of  "Old  Brave." 
The  animal  seemed  to  know  her,  as  she  ascended  the  steps,  sup- 
ported by  ^fonsieur  Le  Quoi  and  her  father,  in  order  to  protect 
her  from  falling  on  the  ice  with  which  they  were  covered.  He 
looked  wistfully  after  her  figure,  and  when  the  door  closed  on 
the  whole  party,  he  laid  himself  in  a  kennel  that  was  placed 
nigh  by,  as  if  conscious  that  the  house  contained  something  of 
additional  value  to  guard. 

.  Elizabeth  followed  her  father,  who  paused  a  moment  to  whisper 
a  message  to  one  of  his  domestics,  into  a  large  hall,  that  was 
dimly  lighted  by  two  candles,  placed  in  high,  old-fashioned  brass 
candlesticks.  The  door  closed,  and  the  party  were  at  once 
removed  from  an  atmosphere  that  was  nearly  at  zero,  to  one  of 
sixty  degrees  above.  In  the  centre  of  the  hall  stood  an  enormous 
stove,  the  sides  of  which  appeared  to  be  quivering  with  heat ; 
from  which,  a  large,  straight  pipe,  leading  through  the  ceiling 
above.,  carried  off  the  smoke.  An  iron  basin,  containing  water, 
was  placed  on  this  furnace,  for  such  only  it  could  be  called,  in 
order  tp  preserve  a  proper  humidity  in  the  apartment.  The 
room  was  carpeted,  and  furnished  with  convenient,  substantial 
furniture  ;  some  of  which  was  brought  from  the  city,  and  the 
remainder  having  been  manufactured  by  the  mechanics  oi  Tem- 
pleton.  There  was  a  sideboard  of  mahogany,  inlaid  with  ivory, 
and  bearing  enormous  handles  of  glittering  brass,  and  groaning 
under  piles  of  silver  plate.  Near  it  stood  a  set  of  prodigious 
tables,  made  of  the  wild  cherry,  to  imitate  the  imported  wood  of 
the  sideboard,  but  plain,  and  without  ornament  of  any  kind. 
Opposite  to  these  stood  a  smaller  table,  formed  from  a  lighter- 
coloured  wood,  through:  the  grains  fo  which  the  wavy  lines  of  the 
:urled  maple  of  the  mountains  were  beautifully  undulating. 
Near  to  this,  in  a  corner,  etood  a  heavy,  old-fashioned,  brass- faced 
clock,  encased  in  a  high  box,  of  the  dark  hue  of  the  black  walnut 
from  the  sea-shore.  An  enormous  settee,  or  sofa,  covered  with 
light  chintz,  stretched  along  the  walls  for  near  twenty  feet  on  one 
side  of  the  ball,  and  chairs  of  wood,  painted  a'  light  yellow, 
with  black  lines  that  were  drawn  «by  no  very  steady  hand,  were 
ranged  opposite,  and  in  the  intervals  between  the  other  pieces  of 
furniture.  A  Fahrenheit's  thermometer,  in  a  mahogany  case,  and 
with  a  barometer  annexed,  was  hung  against  the  wall,  at  some 
little  distance  from  the  stove,  which  Benjamin  consulted  every 


44'  \THE  PIONEERS. 

half-hour  with  prodigious  exactitude.  Two  small  glass  chandeliers 
were  suspended  at  equal  distances  between  the  stove  and  the 
outer  doors,  one  of  which  opened  at  each  end  of  the  hall,  and 
j»ilt  lustres  were  affixed  to  the  framework  of  the  numerous 
ride  doors  that  led  from  the  apartment.  Some  little  display  in 
architecture  had  been  made  in  constructing  these  frames  and 
casings,  which  were  surmounted  with  pediments,  that  bore  each 
a  little  pedestal  in  its  centre  :  on  these  pedestals  were  small  busts 
in  blacked  Plaster  of  Paris.  The  style  of  the  pedestals,  as  well  as 
the  selection  of  the  busts,  were  all  due  to  the  taste  of  Mr.  Jones. 
0:-.  one  stood  Homer,  a  most  striking  likeness,  Richard  affirmed, 
"as  any  one  might  see,  for  it  was  blind."  Another  bore  the 
image  of  a  small-visaged  gentleman,  with  a  pointed  beard, 
whom  he  called  Shakspeare.  A  third  ornament  was  an  urn, 
which,  from  its  shape,  Richard  was  accustomed  to  say,  intended 
to  represent  itself  as  holding  the  ashes  of  Dido.  A  fourth  was 
certainly  old  Franklin,  in  his  cap  and  spectacles.  A  fifth  as 
surely  bore  the  dignified  composure  of  the  face  of  Washington. 
A  sixth,  was  a  nondescript,  representing  "a  man  with  a  shirt 
collar  open,"  to. use  the  language  of  Richard,  "with  a  laurel  on 
his  head :  it  was  Julius  Caesar  or  Dr.  Faust  us ;  there  were  good 
reasons  for  believing  either." 

The  walls  were  hung  with  a  dark,  lead-coloured  English  paper, 
that  represented  Britannia  weeping  over  the  tomb  of  Wolfe. 
The  hero  himself  stood  at  a  little  distance  from  the  mourning 
goddess,  and  at  the  edge  of  the  paper.  Each  width  contained  the 
figure,  with  the  slight  exception  of  one  arm  of  the  general,  which 
ran  over  on  the  next  piece,  so  that  when  Richard  essayed,  with 
his  own  hands,  to  put  together  this  delicate  outline,  some  diffi- 
culties occurred  that  prevented  a  nice  conjunction  ;  and  Britannia 
had  reason  to  lament,  in  addition  to  the  loss  of  her  favourite's 
life,  numberless  cruel  amputations  of  his  right  arm. 

The  luckless  cause  of  these  unnatural  divisions  now  announced 
his  presence  in  the  hall,  by  a  loud  crack  of  his  whip. 

•"Why,  Benjamin !  you  Ben  Pump !  is  this  the  manner  in 
which  you  receive  the  heiress?"  he  cried.  "Excuse  him,  couoin 
Elizabeth.  The  arrangements  were  too  intricate  to  be  trusted  to 
every  one  ;  but  now  I  am  here,  things  will  go  on  better.  Come, 
light  up,  Mr.  Penguillan,  light  up,  light  up,  nnd  let  us  see  one 
anothers  faces.  Well,  'duke,  I  have  brought  home  your  deer ; 
what  is  to  be  done  with  it,  ha  ? " 

"By  the  lord,  Squire,"  commenced  Benjamin  in  reply,  first 
giving  his  mouth  a  wipe  with  the  back  of  hia  hand,  "  if  this  here 
thing  had  been  ordered  sum'at  earlier  in  the  day,  it  might  have 
been  got  up,  d'ye  see,  to  your  liking.  I  had  mustered  all  hands, 
and  was  exercising  candles,  when  you  hove  in  sight ;  but  when 
the  women  heard  your  bells,  they  started  an  end.  as  if  they  were 


THE  PIONEERS.  4  , 

riding  the  boatswain1!  colt ;  and,  if  f>o  be  there  is  that  man  in  the 
house,  who  can  bring  up  a  parcel  of  women  when  they  have  got 
headway  on  them,  until  they've  rim  out  the  end  of  their  rope,  his 
name  is  not  Benjamin  Puiup.  But  Miss  Betsy  here  must  have 
alcered  more  than  a  privateer  in  disguise,  since  she  has  got  on 
her  woman's  duds,  if  she  will  take  offence  with  an  old  fellow  for 
the  small  matter  of  lighting  a  few  candles." 

Elizabeth  and  her  father  continued  silent,  for  both  experienced 
the  same  sensations  on  entering  the  hall.  The  former  had  resided 
one  year  in  the  building  before  she  left  home  for  school,  and  the 
figure  of  its  lamented  mistress  was  missed  by  both  husband  and 
child. 

But  candles  had  been  placed  in  the  chandeliers  and  lustres, 
and  the  attendants  were  so  far  recovered  from  surprise  as  to 
recollect  their  use  :  the  oversight  was  immediately  remedied,  and 
in  a  minute  the  apartment  was  in  a  blaze  of  Eght. 

The  slight  melancholy  of  our  heroine  and  her  father  was 
banished  by  this  brilliant  interruption  ;  and  the  whole  party  began 
to  lay  aside  the  numberless  garments  they  had  worn  in  the  air. 

During-  this  operation,  Richard  kept  up  a  desultory  dialogue 
with  the  different  domestics,  occasionally  throwing  out  a  remark 
to  tlie  Judge  concerning  the  deer  ;  but  as  his  conversation  at  such 
moments  was  much  like  an  accompaniment  on  a  piano,  a  thing 
that  is  heard  without  being  attended  to,  we  will  not  undertake 
the  task  of  recording  his  diffuse  discourse. 

The  instant  that  Remarkable  Pettibone  had  executed"her  portion 
of  the  labour  in  illuminating,  she -returned  to  a  position  near 
Elizabeth,  with  the  apparent  motive  of  receiving  the  clothes  that 
the  other  threw  aside,  but  in  reality  to  examine,  with  an  air  of 
curiosity — not  unmixed  with  jealousy — the  appearance  of  the 
lady  who  was  to  supplant  her  in  the  administration  of  their 
domestic  economy.  The  housekeeper  felt  a  little  appalled,  when, 
after  cloaks,  coats,  shawls,  and  socks  had  been  taken  off  in  succes- 
sion, the  large  black  hood  was  removed,  and  the  dark  ringlets, 
shining  like  the  raven's  wing,  fell  from  her  head,  and  left  the 
sweet  but  commanding  features  of  the  young  lady  exposed  to 
view.  Nothing  could  be  fairer  and  more  spotless  than  the  fore- 
head of  Elizabeth,  and  preserve  the  appearance  of  life  and  health. 
Her  nose  would  have  been  called  Grecian,  but  for  a  softly  rounded 
swell",  that  gave  in  character  to  the  feature  what  it  lost  in  beauty. 
Her  mouth,  at  first  sight,  seemed  only  made  for  love  ;  but  the 
instant  that  its  muscles  moved,  every  expression  that  womanly 
dignity  could  utter  played  around  it  with  the  flexibility  of  female 
grace.  It  spoke  not  only  to  the  ear,  but  to  the  eye.  So  much, 
added  to  a  form  of  exquisite  proportions,  rather  full  and  rounded 
for  her  years,  and  of  the  tallest  medium  height,  she  inherited 
from  her  mother.  Even  the  colour  of  her  eye,  the  arched  brows, 


43  TME  PtOXEEttS. 

and  the  luug  silken  lashes,  came  fioin  the  same  source  ;  but  its 
expression  was  her  father's.  Inert  and  composed,  it  was  soft, 
benevolent,  and  attractive ;  but  it  could  be  roused,  and  that 
without  much  difficulty.  At  such  moments  it  was  still  beautiful, 
though  it  was  a  little  severe.  As  the  last  shawl  fell  aside,  and  she 
stood  dressed  in  a  rich  blue  riding-habit,  that  fitted  her  form  with 
the  nicest  exactness  ;  her  cheeks  burning  with  roses,  that  bloomed 
the  richer  for  the  heat  of  the  hall)0and  her  eyes  slightly  suffused 
with  moisture,  that  rendered  their  ordinary  beauty  more  dazzling, 
and  with  every  feature  of  her  speaking  countenance  illuminated 
by  the  lights  that  flared  around  her,  Remarkable  felt  that  her 
own  power  had  ended. 

The  business  of  unrobing  had  been  simultaneous.  Marmaduke 
appeared  in  a  suit  of  plain  neat  black  ;  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  in  a 
coat  of  snuff  colour,  covering  a  vest  of  embroidery,  with  breeches, 
and  silk  stockings,  and  buckles — that  were  commonly  thought 
to  be  of  paste.  Major  Hartmann  wore  £  coat  of  sky-blue,  with 
large  brass  buttons,  a  club  wig,  and  boots  ;  and  Mr.  Richard 
Jones  had  set  off  his  dapper  little  form  in  a  frock  of  bottle-green, 
with  bullet  buttons  ;  by  one  of  which,  the  sides  were  united  over 
his  well-rounded  waist,  opening  above,  eo  as  to  show  a  jacket  of 
red  cloth,  with  an  under-vest  of  flannel,  faced  with  green  velvet, 
and  below,  so  as  to  exhibit  a  pair  of  buckskin  breeches,  with 
long,  soiledj  white  top-boots,  and  sp urs  ;  one  of  the  latter  a  little 
bent,  from  its  recent  attacks  on  the  stool. 

When  the  young  lady  had  extricated  herself  from  her  garments, 
slie  was  at  liberty  to  gaze  about  her,  and  to  examine  not  only 
the  household  over  which  she  was  to  preside,  but  also  the  air 
and  manner  in  which  their  domestic  arrangements  were  con- 
ducted. Although  there  was  much  incongruity  in  the  furniture 
and  appearance  of  the  hall,  there  was  nothing  mean.  The  floor 
was  carpeted,  even  in  its  remotest  corners.  The  brass  candle- 
sticks, the  gilt  lustres,  and  the  glass  chandeliers^  whatever  might 
be  their  keeping  as  to  propriety  and  taste,  were  admirably  kept 
as  to  all  the  purposes  of  use  and  comfort.  They  were  clean,  and 
glittering  in  the  stronglight  of  the  apartment.  Compared  with 
the  chill  aspeet  of  the  December  night  without,  the  warmth  and 
brilliancy  of  the  apartment  produced  an  effect  that  wa.«  not 
unlike  enchantment.  Her  eye  had  not  time  to  detect  in  detail 
the  little  errors  which,  in  truth  existed,  but  was  glancing  around 
in  delight,  when  an  object  arrested  her  view  that  was  in  strong 
contrast  to  the  smiling  faces  and  neatly  attired  personages  who 
had  thus  assembled  to  do  honour  to  the  heiress  of  Templeton. 

In  a  corner  of  the  hall,  near  the  grand  entrance,  stood  the 
young  huntei*,  unnoticed,  and  for  the  moment  apparently 
forgotten.  But  even  the  forgetfulness  of  the  Judge,  whicu,  under 
the  influence  of  strong  emotion,  had  banished  the  recollection  of 


THE  PIONEERS  47 

the  wound  of  this  stranger,  seemed  surpassed  oy  the  absence  of 
mind  in  the  youth  himself.  On  entering  the  apartment  he  had 
mechanically  lifted  his  cap,  and  exposed  a  head  covered  with  hair 
that  rivalled  in  colour  and  gloss  the  locks  of  Elizabeth.  Nothing 
could  have  wrought  a  greater  transformation  than  the  single  act 
of  removing  the  rough  fox-skin  cap.  If  there  was  much  that 
was  prepossessing  in  thci  countenance  of  the  young  hunter,  there 
was  something  even  noble  in  the  .rounded  outlines  of  his  head 
and  brow.  The  very  air  and  manner  with  which  the  member 
haughtily  maintained  itself  over  the  coarse  and  evtn  wild  attire 
iu  which  the  re^t  of  his  frame  was  clad,  bespoke  not  only 
familiarity  with  a  splendour  that  in  those  new  settlements  wa? 
thought  to  be  unequalled,  but  something  very  like  contempt 
also. 

The  hand  that  held  the  cap  rested  lightly  on  the  little  ivory- 
mounted  piano  of  Elizabeth,  with  neither  rustic  restraint  nor 
obtrusive  vulgarity.  A  single  finger  touched  the  instruntent,  as 
if  accustomed  to  dwell  in  such  places.  His  other  aim  was 
extended  to  its  utmost  length,  and  the  hand  grasped  the  barrel 
of  his  long  rifle  with  something  like  convulsive  energy.  The 
net  and  the  attitude  were  both  involuntary,  aiid  evidently  pro- 
ceeded from  a  feeling  much  deeper  than  that  of  vulgar  surprise. 
His  appearance,  connected  as  it  was  with  the  rough  exterior  of 
his  dress,  rendered  him  entirely  distinct  fiom  the  busy  group 
that  were  moving  across  the  other  end  of  the  long  hall,  occupied 
in  receiving  the  travellers,  and  exchanging  their  welcomes  ;  and 
Elizabeth  continued  to  gaze  at  him  in  wonder.  The  contraction 
of  the  stranger's  brows  increased  as  his  eyes  moved  slowly  from 
one  object  to  another.  For  moments  the  expression  of  his 
countenance  was  fierce,  and  then  again  it  seemed  to  pass  away  in 
some  painful  emotion.  The  arm  that  was  extended  bent,  and 
brought  the  hand  nigh  to  his  face,  when  his  head  dropped  upon 
it,  and  concealed  the  wonderfully  speaking  Lineaments. 

"We  forget,  dear  sir,  the  strange  gentleman"  (for  her  life 
Elizabeth  could  not  call  him  otherwise),  "  whom  we  have  brought 
here  for  assistance,  and  to  whom  we  owe  every  attention." 

All  eyes  were  instantly  tumed  in  the  direction  of  tho:>e  of  the 
speaker,  and  the  youth  rather  proudly  elevated  his  head  again, 
while  he  answered, — 

"My  wound  is  trifling,  and  I  believe  that  Judge  Temple  sent 
for  a  physician  the  moment  we  arrived." 

"  Certainly,"  said  Marmaduke  ;  "  I  have  not  forgotten  the 
object  of  thy  visit,  young  man,  nor  the  nature  of  my  debt." 

"  Oh  1 "  exclaimed  Richard,  with  something  of  a  waggish  leer, 
"thou  owest  the  lad  for  .the  venison,  1  suppose,  that  thou  killed, 
cousin  'duke  1  -Marmad'uke  !  Marmaduke  1  That  was  a  mar- 
vellous  tale  of  thine  about  the  buck  !  Here,  young  man,  are 


48  THE  PIONEURS. 

two  dollars  for  the  deer,  and  Judge  Temple  can  do  no  less  than 
pay  the  doctor.  I  shall  charge  you  nothing  for  my  services,  but 
you  shall  not  fare  the  worse  for  that.  Come,  come,  'duke,  don't 
be  down-hearted  about  it ;  if  you  missed  the  buck,  you  contrived 
to  shoot  this  poor  fellow  through  a  pine  tree.  Now  I  own  that 
you  have  beat  me  ;  I  never  did  such  a  thing  in  all  my  life." 

"And  I  hope  never  will,"  returned  the  Judge,  "if  you  are 
to  experience  the  uneasiness  that  I  have  suffered.  But  be  of 
good  cheer,  my  young  friend,  the  injury  must  be  email,  as  thou 
mo  vest  thy  arm  with  apparent  freedom. 

"  Don't  make  the  matter  woi-se,  'duke,  by  pretending  to  talk 
about  surgery,"  interrupted  Mr.  Jones,  with  a  contemptuous  wave 
of  the  hand  ;  "  it  is  a  science  that  can  only  be  learnt  by  practice. 
You  know  that  iny  grandfather  was  a  doctor,  but  you  haven't  got 
a  drop  of  medical  blood  in  your  veins.  These  kind  of  things  run 
in  families.  All  my  family  by  the  father's  side  had  a  knack  at 
physic.  There  was  my  uncle  that  was  killed  at  Brandywine, — 
he  died  as  easy  again  as  any  other  man  in  the  regiment,  just 
from  knowing  how  to  hold  his  breath  naturally.  Few  men  know 
how  to  breathe  naturally." 

"  I  doubt  not,  Dickon,"  returned  the  Judge,  meeting  the  bright 
smile  which,  in  spite  of  himself,  stole  over  the  stranger's  features, 
"  that  thy  family  thoroughly  understood  the  art  of  letting  life 
slip  through  their  fingers. 

Richard  heard  him  quite  coolly,  and  putting  a  hand  in  either 
pocket  of  his  surtout,  so  as  to  press  forward  the  skirts,  began  to 
whistle  a  tune  ;  but  the  desire  to  reply  overcame  his  philosophy, 
and  with  great  heat  he  exclaimed, — 

"You  may  affect  to  smile,.  Judge  Temple,  at  nereditary  virtues 
if  you  please  ;  but  there  is  not  a  man  on  your  Patent  who  don't 
know  better.  Here,  even  this  young  man,  who  has  never  seen 
anything  but  bears,  and  deers,  and  wood-chucks,  knows  better 
than  to  believe  virtues  are  not  transmitted  in  families.  Don't 
you,  friend  ? " 

"  I  believe  that  vice  is  not,"  said  the  stranger  abruptly,  his  eye 
glancing  froin  the  father  to  the  daughter. 

"The  Squire  is  right,  Judge,"  observed  Benjamin,  with  a 
kno wing  nod  of  his  head  towards  Richard,  that  bespoke  the 
cordiality  between  them.  "  Now,  in  the  old  country,  the  king's 
majesty  touches  for  the  evil,  and  that  is  a  disorder  that  the 
greatest  doctor  in  the  fleet,  or,  for  the  matter  of  that,  admiral 
either,  can't  cure  ;  only  the  king's  majesty,  or  a  man  that's  been 
hanged.  Yea,  the  Squire  is  right ;  for  if  so  be  that  he  wasn't, 
how  Is  it  .that  the  seventh  son  always  is  a  doctor,  whether  he 
ehlps  for  the  cock-pit  or  not  ?  Now,  when  we  fell  in  with  tie 
mounsheers,  tinder  De  Grasse,  d'ye  see,  we  had  aboard  of  us  * 
doctor"— 


THE  PIONEERS.  49 

"Very  well,  Benjamin,"  interrupted  Elizabeth,  glancinc  her 
eyes  from  the  hunter  to  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  who  was  most  politely 
attending  to  what  fell  from  each  individual  in  succession,  "  you 
shall  tell  me  of  that,  and  all  your  entertaining  adventures 
together ;  just  now,  a  room  must  be  prepared,  in  which  the  arm 
of  this  gentleman  can  be  dressed." 

"I  will  attend  to  that  myself,  cousin  Elizabeth,"  observeu 
Richard  somewhat  haughtily.  "The  young  man  shall  not 
suffer,  because  Marmaduke  chooses  to  be  a  little  obstinate. 
Follow  me,  my  friend,  and  I  will  examine  the  hurt  myself," 

"  It  will  be  well  to  wait  for  the  physician,"  eaid  the  hunter 
coldly  ;  "  he  cannot  be  distant." 

Eichard  paused,  and  looked  at  the  speaker,  a  little  astonished 
at  the  language,  and  a  good  deal  appalled  at  the  refusal.  He 
construed  the  latter  into  an  act  of  hostility,  and  placing  his  hands 
in  the  pockets  again,  he  walked  up  to  Mr.  Grant,  and  putting 
his  face  close  to  the  countenance  of  the  divine,  said  in  an  under- 
tone,— 

"Now,  mark  my  words:  there  will  be  a  story  among  the 
settlers,  that  all  our  necks  would  have  been  broken,  but  for  that 
fellow — as  if  I  did  not  know  how  to  drive.  Why,  you  might 
Jhave  turned -the  horses  yourself,  sir  ;  nothing  was  easier  ;  it  was 
only  pulling  hard  on  the  nigh  rein,  and  touching  the  off  flank  of 
the  leader.  I  hope,  my  dear  sir,  you  are  not  at  all  hurt  by  the 
upset  ihe  lad  gave  us  ? " 

The  reply  was  interrupted  by  the  entrance  of  the  village 
physician. 


CHAPTER   VI 

•          And  about  Us  shelves, 
A  beggarly  account  of  empty  boxes, 
Green  earthen  pots,  bladders,  and  niosty  seeds, 
Remnants  of  packthread,  and  old  cakes  6f  roses, 
Were  thinly  scattered  to  make  up  a  shoif. 

SHAKSPEABB. 

DOCTOR  ELNATHAN  TODD,  for  such  was  the  name  of  the  inan  of 
physic,  was  commonly  thought  to  be,  among  the  settlers,  a  gentle- 
man of  great  mental  endowments  ;  and  he  was  assuredly  of  rare 
personal  proportions.  In  height  he  measured,  without  his  shoes, 
exactly  six  feet  and  four  inches.  Hia  hands,  feet,  and  kneea 
corresponded  in  every  respect  with  this  formidable  stature  ;  but 
every  pther  part  of  his  frame  appeared  to  have  been  intended  for 
a  man  several  sizes  smaller,  if  we  except  the  length  of  the  limbs. 
His  shoulders  were  square,  in  one  sense  at  least,  being  in  a  right 
line  from  one  side  to  the  other ;  but  they  were  so  narrow,  that 
the  long  dangling  arms  they  supported  seemed  to  issue  out  of  his 
back.  His  neck  possessed,  in  an  eminent  degree,  the  property  of 
length  to  which  we  have  alluded,  and  it  was  topped  by  a  small 
bullet-head  that  exhibited  on  one  side  a  bush  of  bristling  brown 
hair,  and  on  the  other  a  short  twinkling  visage,  that  appeared  to 
maintain  a  constant  struggle  with  itself  in  order  to  look  wise. 
He  was  the  youngest  son  of  a  farmer  in  the  western  part  of 
Massachusetts,  who,  being  in  somewhat  easy  circumstances,  had 
allowed  this  boy  to  shoot  up  to  the  height 'we  have  mentioned, 
without  the  ordinary  interruptions  of  field-labour,  wood-chopping, 
and  such  other  toils  as  were  imposed  on  his  brothers,  Elnathan 
was  indebted  for  this  exemption  from  labour,  in  some  measure,  tc 
hia  extraordinary  growth,  which,  leaving  him  pale,  inanimate, 
'id  listless,  induced  his  tender  mother  to  pronounce  him 
"a  sickly  boy,  and  one  that  was  net  equal  to  work,  but  who 
might  earn  a  living  comfortably  enough  by  taking  to  pleading 
law,  or  turning  minister,  or  doctoring,  or  some  such  like  easy 
calling."  Still  there  was  great  uncertainty  which  of  these 
vocations  the  youth  was  best  endowed  to  fill ;  but,  having  no 
other  employment,  the  stripling  'was  constantly  lounging  about 
the  "  homestead,"  munching  green  apples,  and  hunting  for  sorrel ; 
when  the  same  sagacious  eye  that  had  brought  to  lig'j.t  hi*  latent 


THE  PIONEERS.  5! 

talents,  seized  upon  this  circumstance  as  a  clue  to  bia  future  path 
through  th«  turmoils  of  the  world.  "  Elnathan  was  cut  out  for 
a  doctor,"  she  knew,  "  for  he  was  for  ever  digging  for  herbs,  and 
tasting  all  kinds  of  things  that  giow'd  about  the  lots.  Then 
again  he  had  a  natural  love  for  doctor-stuff,  for  when  she 
had  left  the  bilious  pills  Out  for  her  man,  all  nicely  covered  v.rith 
maple  sugar,  just  ready  to  take,  Nathan  had  come  in,  and 
swallowed  them,  for  all  the  world  as  if  they  were  nothing,  while 
Ichabod  (her  husband)  could  never  get  one  down  without 
making  such  desperate  faces,  that  it  was  awful  to  look  on." 

This  discovery  decided  the  matter.  Elnathan,  then  about 
fifteen,  was,  much  like  a  wild  colt,  caught  and  trimmed,  by  clip- 
pirg  his  bushy  locks  ;  dressed  in  a  suit  of  homespun,  dyed  in  the 
butternut  bark  ;  furnished  with  a  "  New  Testament "  and  a 
"  Webster's  Spelling  Book,"  and  sent  to  school.  Aa  the  boy  was 
by  nature  quite  shrewd  enough,  and  had  previously,  at  odd  times, 
laid  the  foundation  of  reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic,  he  was 
soon  conspicuous  in  the  school  for  his  learning.  The  delighted 
mother  had  the  gratification  of  hearing  from  the  lips  of  the 
master  that  her  son  was  a  "  prodigious  boy,  and  far  above  all  his 
class."  He  also  thought  that  "  the  youth  had  a  natural  love  for 
doctoring,  as  he  had  known  him  frequently  advise  the  smaller 
children  against  eating  too  much  ;  and  once  or  twice,  when  the 
ignorant  little  things  had  persevered  in  opposition  to  Elnathan's 
advice,  he  had  known  her  son  empty  the  school-baskets  with  his 
own  mouth  to  prevent  the  consequences." 

Soon  after  this  comfortable  declaration  from  his  schoolmaster, 
the  lad  was  removed  to  the  house  of  the  village  doctor,  a  gentle- 
man whose  early  career  had  not  been  unlike  that  of  our  hero, 
where  he  was  to  be  seen,  sometimes  watering  a  horse,  at  others 
watering  medicines,  blue,  yellow,  and  red  ;  then  again  he  might 
be  noticed,  lolling  under  an  apple  tree,  with  Ruddiman's  Latin 
Grammar  in  his  hand,  and  a  corner  of  Denman's  Midwifery  stick- 
ing out  of  a  pocket,— for  his  instructor  held  it  absurd  to  teach  his 
pupil  how  to  despatch  a  patient  .regularly  from  this  world  before 
he  knew  how  to  bring  him  into  it. 

This  kind  of  life  continued  for  a  twelvemonth, when  he  suddenly 
appeared  at  meeting  in  a  long  coat  (and  well  did  it  deserve  the 
name  !)  of  black  homespun,  with  little  bootees,  bound  with  un- 
coloured  calf- skin,  for  the  want  of  red  morocco. 

Soon  after  he  was  _seen  shaving  with  a  dull  razor.  Three  or 
four  months  had  scarce  elapsed  before  several  elderly  ladies  were 
observed  hastening  towards  the  house  of  a  poor  woman  in  the 
village,  while  others  were  running  to  and  fro  in  great  apparent 
distress.  One  or  two  boys  were  mounted,  bareback,  on  horses, 
and  sent  off  at  ppt^  in.  various  directions.  Several  indirect 
questions  were  put  concerning  the  place  where  the  physician  wa3 


6*  THE 

last  seen,  but  all  would  not  do  ;  and  at  length  Elnathan  was  seen 
issuing  from  his  door  with  A  very  grave  air,  preceded  by  a  little 
white-neaded  boy,  out  of  breath,  trotting  before  him.  The 
following  day  the  youth  appeared  in  the  street,  as  the  highway 
was  called,  and  the  neighbourhood  was  much  edified  by  the  addi- 
tional gravity  in  his  air.  The  same  week  he  bought  a  new  razor  : 
and  the  succeeding  Sunday  he  entered  the  meeting-house  with  a 
red  silk  handkerchief  in  his  hand,  and  with  an  extremely  demure 
countenance.  In  the.  evening  he  called  upon  a  young  woman  of 
his  own  class  in  life,  for  there  were  no  others  to  be  found,  and, 
when  he  was  left  alone  with  the  fair,  he  was  called,  for  the  first 
time  in  his  life,  Doctor  Todd  by  her  prudent  mother.  The  ice 
once  broken  in  this  manner,  Elnathan  was  greeted  from  every 
mouth  with  his  official  appellation. 

Another  year  passed  under  the  superintendence  of  the  same 
master,  during  which  the  young  physician  had  the  credit  of 
"  riding  with  the  old  doctor,"  although  they  were  generally  ob- 
served to  travel  different  roads.  At  the  end  of  that  perioo.  Dr. 
Todd  attained  his  legal  majority.  He  then  took  a  jaunt  to  Boston 
to  purchase  medicines,  and,  as  some  intimated,  to  walk  the 
hospital ;  we  know  not  how  the  latter  might  have  been,  but  if 
true,  he  soon  walked  through  it,  for  he  returned  within,  a  fort- 
night, bringing  with  him  a  suspicious- looking  box,  that  smelled 
powerfully  of  brimstone. 

The  next  Sunday  he  was  married  ;  and  the  following  morning 
he  entered  a  one-horse  sleigh  with  his  bride,  having  before  h4m 
the  box  we  have  mentioned,  with  another  filled  with  home- 
made household  linen,  a  paper-covered  trunk,  with  a  red. 
umbrella  lashed  to  it,  a  pair  of  quite  new  saddle-bags,  and  a 
bandbox.  The  next  intelligence  that  his  friends  received  of 
the  bride  and  bridegroom  was  that  the  latter  was  "  settled  in  the 
new  countries,  and  well  to  do  as  a  doctor  in  Templeton,  in  York 
State  1" 

If  a  Templar  would  smile  at  the  qualifications  of  Marmaduke 
to  fill  the  judicial  seat  he  occupied,  we  are  certain  that  a  graduate 
of  Leyden  or  Edinburgh  would  be  extremely  amused  with  thia 
true  narration  of  the  servitude  of  Elnathan  in  the  temple  of 
^Esculapius.  But  the  same  consolation  was  afforded  to  both  the 
jurist  and  the  leech  ;  for  Dr.  Todd  was  quite  as  much  on  a  level 
with  his  compeers  of  the  profession  in  that  country,  as  wa? 
Marmaduke  with  his  brethren  on  the  bench. 

Time  and  practice  did  wonders  for  the  physician.  He  was 
naturally  humane,  but  possessed  of  no  small  share  of  moral 
courage  ;  or,  in  other  words,  he  was  chary  of  the  lives  of  his 
patients,  and  never  tried  uncertain  experiments  on  such  members 
of  society  as  were  considered  useful ;  but  once  or  twice,  when  a 
luckless  vagrant  had  come  under  his  care,  he  was  a  little  addicted 


THE  PIONEERS.  53 

to  trying  the  effects  of  every  phial  in  his  saddle-bags  on  the 
stranger's  constitution.  Happily  their  number  was  small,  and  in 
most  cases  their  natures  innocent.  By  these  means  Elnathan  had 
acquired  a  certain" degree  of  knowledge  in  fevers  and  agues,  and 
could  talk  with  much  judgment  concerning  intermittent?,  remit- 
tents, tertians,  quotidians,  etc.  In  certain  cutaneous  disorders, 
very  prevalent  in.  new  settlements,  he  was  considered  to  be 
infallible  ;  and  there  was  no  woman  on  the  Patent  but  would  as 
soon  think  of  becoming  a  mother  without  a  husband,  as  without 
the  assistance  of  Dr.  Todd.  In  bhort,  he  was  rearing  on  this 
foundation  of  sand  a  superstructure,  cemented  by  practice,  though 
composed  of  somewhat  brittle  materials.  He,  however,  occasion- 
ally renewed  his  elementary  studies,  and,  with  the  observation  of 
a  shrewd  mind,  was  comfortably  applying  his  practice  to  his 
theory. 

In  surgery,  having  the  least  experience,  and  it  being  a  business 
that  spoke  directly  to  the  senses,  he  was  most  apt  to  distrust  his 
own  powers  ;  but  he  had  applied  oils  to  several  burns,  cut  round 
the  roots  of  sundry  defective  teeth,  and  sewed  up  the  wounds  of. 
numberless  wood-choppers  with  considerable  &lat,  when  an  un- 
fortunate jobber l  suffered  a  fracture  of  his  leg  by  the  tree  that  he 
had  been  felling.  It  was  on  this  occasion  that  our  hero  encoun- 
tered the  greatest  trial  his  nerves  and  moral  feeling  had  ever 
sustained.  In  the  hour  of  need,  however,  he  was  not  found 
wanting.  Most  of  the  amputations  in  the  new  settlements, 
and  they  were  quite  frequent,  were  performed  by  forne  one  prac- 
titioner who,  possessing  originally  a  reputation,  was  enabled  by 
this  circumstance  to  acquire  an  experience  that  rendered  him 
deserving  of  it ;  and  Elnathan  had  been  present  at  one  or  two  of 
these  operations.  But  on  the  present  occadon  the  man  of  prac- 
tice was  not  to  be  obtained,  and  the  duty  fell,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  to  the  share  of  Mr.  Todd.  He  went  to  work  with  a  kind 
of  blind  desperation,  observing,  at  the  same  time,  all  the  externals 
of  decent  gravity  and  great  skill.  The  sufferer's  name  was 
Milligan,  and  it  was  to  this  event  that  Richard  alluded  when  he 
spoke  of  assisting  the  doc'^r  at  an  amputation — by  holding  the 
leg !  The  limb  was  certainly  cut  off,  and  the  patient  survived 
the  operation.  It  was,  however,  two  years  before  poor  Milligan 
ceased  to  complain  that  they  had  buried  the  leg  in  so  narrow  a 
box  that  it  was  straitened  for  room  ;  he  could  feel  the  pain  shott- 
ing up  from  the  inhumed  fragment  into  the  living  members. 
Marmaduke  suggested  that  -the  fault  might  lie  in  the  arteries  and 
nerve? ;  but  Richard,  considering  the  amputation  as  port  of  his 
own  handiwork,  strongly  repelled  the  insinuation,  at  the  same 
time*  declaring  that  he  had  often  heard  of  men  who  could  tell 
was  about  to  rain  by  the  toes  of  amputated  limbs.  After 

1  Peopla  who  clear  land  by  tho  aero  or  job  are  thus  caUad. 


54  THE  PIONEERS. 

two  or  three  years,  notwithstanding  Milligan's  complaint*  gratlu- 
ally  diminished,  the  leg  was  du<*  up,  and  a  larger  box  furnished, 
and  from  that  hour  no  one  had  heard  the  sufferer  utter  another 
complaint  on  the  subject  This  gave  the  public  great  confidence 
in  Dr.  Todd,  whose  reputation  was  hourly  increasing,  and,  luckily 
for  his  patients,  his  information  also. 

Notwithstanding  Mr.  Todd's  practice,  and  Ids  success  with  the 
leg,  he  was  not  a  little  appalled  on  entering  the  hall  of  the 
mansion-house.  It  was  glaring  with  the  light  of  day  ;  it  looked 
so  splendid  and  imposing,  compared  with  the  hastily  built  and 
scantily  furnished  apartments  which  he  frequented  in  his  ordinary 
practice,  and  contained  so  many  well-dressed  persons  and  anxious 
faces,  that  his  usually  firm  nerves  were  a  good  deal  discom- 
posed. He  had  heard  from  the  messenger  who  summoned  him 
that  it  was  a  gun-shot  wound,  and  had  come  from  his  own 
home,  wading  through  the  snow,  with  his  saddle-bags  thrown 
over  his  arm,  while  separated  arteries,  penetrated  lungs,  and 
injured  vitals  were  whirling  through  his  brain,  as  if  he  were 
stalking  over  a  field  of  battle,  instead  of  Judge  Temple's  peaceable 
enclosure. 

The  first  object  that  met  his  eye  as  he  moved  into  the  room  was 
Elizabeth  in  her  riding-habit,  richly  laced  with  gold  cord,  her 
fine  form  bending  towards  him,  and  her  face  expressing  deep 
anxiety  in  every  one  of  its  beautiful  features.  The  enormous 
bony  knees  of  the  physician  struck  each  other  with  a  noise  that 
was  audible  ;  for  in  the  absent  state  of  his  mind,  he  mistook  her 
for  a  general  officer,  perforated  with  bullets,  hastening  from  the 
field  of  battle  to  implore  assistance.  The  delusion,  however,  was 
but  momentary,  and  his  eye  glanced  rapidly  from  the  daughter 
to  the  earnest  dignity  of  the  father's  countenance  ;  thence  to  the 
busy  strut  of  Richard,  who  was  cooling  his  impatience  at  the 
hunter's  indifference  to  his  assistance,  by  pacing  the  hall  and 
cracking  his  whip  ;  from  him  to  the  Frenchman,  who  had  stood 
for  several  minutes  unheeded  with  a  chair  for  the  lady  ;  thence 
to  Major  Hartmann,  who  was  very  coolly  lighting  a  pipe  three 
feet  long  by  a  candle  in  one  of  the  chandeliers  ;  thence  to  Mr. 
Grant,  who  was  turning  over  a  manuscript  with  much  earnestness 
at  one  of  the  lustres  ;  thence  to  Remarkable,  who  stood  with  her 
arms  demurely  folded  before  her,  surveying,  with  a  look  of 
admiration  and  envy,  the  dress  and  beauty  of  the  young  lady  ; 
and  from  her  to  Benjamin,  who.  with  his  feet  standing  wide 
apart  and  his  arms  akimbo,  was  balancing  his  square  little  body 
with  the  indifference  of  one  who  was  accustomed  to  wounds  aud 
bloodshed.  All  of  these  seemed  to  be  unhurt,  and  the  operator 
began  to  breathe  more  freely  ;  but  before  he  had  time  to  take  a 
second  look,  the  Judge,  advancing,  shook  him  kindly  by  the 
band,  and  spoke. 


TSE  PIONEERS.  55 

"Thou  ait  wciccmr,  ray  good  sir,  quite  welcome,  indeed  ; 
here  is  a  yerth  whom  1  have  unfortiiimtely  wounded  in  shoot- 
ing a  deer  ^his  evening,  and  who  requires  some  of  thy  assist- 
ance." 

c:  Shooting  at  a  deer, 'duke,"  interrupted  Richard, — "shooting 
at  a  deer'  Who  do  you  think  can  prescribe  unless  he  knows 
tin-  Inilh  of  ihe  case?  It  is  always  so  with  some  people  ;  they 
'hiuk  a  doctor  can  Ije  deceived  with  the  same  impunity  as  another 
man  " 

"  Shooting  at  a  deer  truly,"  returned   the  Judge,  smiling,' 

.•ill  hough  it  is  by  no  means  certain  that  I  did  not  aid  in  destroy- 
mg  the  buck  ;  but  the  youth  is  injured  by  my  hand,  be  that  as 
;L  may  ;  and  it  is  thy  skill  that  must  cure  him,  and  my  pocket1 
-hall  amply  reward  thee  for  it." 

"  Two  vcr  good  tings  to  depend  on,"  observed  Monsieur  Le  Quoi, 
bowing  politely,  with  a  sweep  of  his  head,  to  the  Judge  and  the 
practitioner. 

"  I  thank  you,  Monsieur,"  iclurned  the  Judge  ;  "bui  we  keep 
tin-  young  man  in  pain.  Remarkable,  thou  wilt  please  to  provide' 
linen  for  lint  and  bandages." 

This  remark  caused  a  cessation  of  the  compliments,  and  induced 
the  physician  to  turn  an  inquiring  eye  in  the  direction  of  hia 
patient  During  the  dialogue  the  young  hunter  had  thrown  aside 
IIH  overcoat,  ana  now  stood  clad  in  a  plain  suit  of  the  common, 
light-coloured  homespun  of  the  country,  that  was  evidently  but 
recently  made.  Uis  hand  was  on  the  lapels  of  his  coat,  in.  the 
attitude  of  removing  the  gaunent,  when  he  suddenly  suspended 
the  movement,  and  looked  towards  the  commiserating  Elizabeth, 
who  was  standing  in  an  unchanged  posture,  too  much  absorbed 
with  her  anxious  fuehngs  to  heed  his  actions.  A  slight  colour 
appeared  on  the  brow  of  the  youth. 

"  Fossil)! y  ihe  wight  of  blood  may  alarm  the  lady  ;  I  will  retire 
;•>  another  room  while  tha  woimd  is  dressing." 

"  By  no  means,"  said  Dr.  Todd,  who,  having  discovered  that  his 
I  MI  lent  was  far  from  being  a  man  of  importance,  felt  much,  em- 
Jioldi.-neCt  lo  perform  his  duty.  "  The  strong  light  of  these  candles 
is  favourable  to  the  operation,  and  it  is  seldom  that  we  hard 
students  enjoy  good  eyesight." 

While  speaking,  Elnathan  placed  a  pair  of  large  iron-rimmed 
.spectacles  on  his  face,  where  they  dropped,  as  it  were  by  long 
practice,  to  the  extremity  of  his  slim  pug  nose  ;  and  if  they  were 
uf  no  service  as  assistance  to  his  eyes,  neither  were  they  any  im- 
pediment to  his  vision  ;  for  his  little  grey  organs  were  twinkling 
above  them,  like  two  stars  emerging  from  the  envious  cover  of  a 
cloud.  The  action  was  unheeded  by  all  but  Remarkable,  who 
observed  to  Benjamin,— 

"  Dr.  Todd  is  a  comely  man  to  look  on,  and  diap'ut  pretty. 


66  tHE  PIONEERS. 

How  well  he  seems  in  spectacles !  I  declare,  they  give  a  grand 
look  to  a  body's  face.  1  have  quite  a  great  mind  to  try  them 
myself." 

The  speech  of  the  stranger  recalled  the  recollection  of  Mis» 
Temple,  who  started,  as  if  from  deep  abstraction,  and,  colouring 
excessively,  she  motioned  to  a  young  woman,  who  served  in 
the  capacity  of  maid,  and  retired  with  an  air  of  womanly 
reserve. 

The  field  was  now  left  to  the  physician  and  his  patient,  while 
the  different  personages  who  remained,  gathered  around  the  latter, 
with  faces  expressing  the  various  degrees  of  interest  that  each  one 
felt  in  his  condition.  Major  Hartmann  alone  retained  his  seat, 
where  he  continued  to  throw  out  vast  quantities  of  smoke,  now 
rolling  his  eyes  up  to  the  ceiling,  as  if  musing  on  the  un- 
certainty of  life,  and  now  bending  them  on 'the  wounded  man, 
with  an  expression  that  bespoke  some  consciousness  of  his 
situation. 

In  the  meantime  Eluathan,  to  whom  the  sight  of  a  gun-shot 
wound  was  a  perfect  novelty,  commenced  his  preparations  with 
a  solemnity  and  care  that  weie  worthy  of  the  occasion.  An  old 
shirt  was  procured  by  Benjamin,  and  placed  in  the  hands  of 
the  other,  who  tore  divers  bandages  from  it,  with  an  exactitude 
that  marked  both  his  own  skill  and  the  importance  of  the 
operation. 

When  this  p-eparatory  measure  was  taken,  Dr.  Todd  selected 
a  piece  of  the  shirt  with  great  care,  and,  handing  it  to  Mr.  Jones, 
without  moving  a  muscle,  said, — 

"Here,  Squire  Jones,  you  are  well  acquainted  with  these 
things;  will  you  please  to  scrape  the  hut?  It  should  be  fine 
and  soft,  you  know,  my  dear  sir  ;  and  b£  cautious  that  no  cotton 
gets  in,  or  it  may  p'ison  the  wound.  The  shirt  has  been  made 
with  cotton  thread,  but  you  can  easily  pick  it  out" 

Richard  assumed  the  office,  with  a  nod  at  his  cousin  that 
said,  quite  plainly,  "  You  see,  this  fellow  can't  get  along 
without  mi-,"  and  began  to  scrajie  the  linen  on  his  knee  \vitlt 
great  diligence. 

A  table  was  now  spread  with  phials,  boxes  of  salve,  and  divers 
Mtrgical  instruments.  As  the  latter  appeared  in  succession  from 
a  case  of  red  morocco,  their  owner  held  up  each  implement  to 
the  strong  light  of  the  chandelier,  near  to  which  he  stood,  and 
examined  it  with  the  nicest  care.  A  red  silk  handkerchief  was 
frequently  applied  to  the  glitterini^  ste<;l.  ?*s  if  to  renxcve  from 
the  polished  surface*  ihe  tedst  impediment  which  nrfbfct  exist 
to  the  mo-«t  delicate  operation.  After  the  rather  scantily  furnished 
^"fi-j*— wo.  *vlrich  contained  these  instruments,  was  exhausted, 
*ue  j/nysicun  turned  to  his  saddle-bags,  and  produced  various 
phials,  filled  with  liquids  of  the  most  radiant  colours.  These 


THE  XRS.  fi7 

were  arranged,  in  cine  order,  I  of  the  murderous  saws, 

kjiives,  and  scissors,  wlie-i  .ched  his  long  body  to 

its  utmost  elevation,  placing  Lis  hand  on  the  small  of  iris  back, 
as  if  for  support,  and  looked  about  him  to  discover  •what  effect 
this  display  of  profession^1  ,  tiH  T.TS  Mkely  to  produce  en  the 
spectators. 

"  Upon  my  wort,  toctor,"  observed  Major  Hartniann^  with  a 
roguis-Ii  roll  of  his  little  black  eyes,  but  with  every  other  feature 
c-f  his  face  in  a  state  of  perfect  rest,  "  put  you  have  a  very  pretty 
pocket-book  of  tools  tere,  and  jo.ir  toctor-stuff  glitters,  as  if  it 
v/as  petter  for  ter  eyes  as  for  ter  pelly." 

Elnathan  gave  a  hem,— one  that  might  have  been  equally 
taken  for  that  kind  of  noisa  v/hich  cov/aitls  fj-a  raid  to  make,  in 
order  to  awaken  their  dormant  courage,  or  for  a  natural  effort 
to  clear  the  throat :  if-  for  the  latter,  it  was  successful ;  for, 
turning  his  face  to  the  veterrn  G-^T-  •.:  v,  he  :^k> — 

"Very  true,  Major  Hartmaau,  -very  true/su  ,  a  pmaent  man 
v/ill  always  strive  to  inake  his  remedies  agreeable  to  the  eyes,, 
though  they  may  not  altogether  suit  the  stomach.  It  is  no 
small  part  of  our  art,  sir,"  and  he  now  spoke  with  the  confidence 
of  a  man  who  understood  his  subject,  "  to  reconcile  the  patient 
to  what  is  for  his  o\vn  gco  ],  thoi-gh,  at  the  came  time,  it  may 
be  unpalatable." 

"Sartain!  Dr.  Todd  is  right,"  said  Remarkable,  "and  has 
Scripter  for  what  he  says.  Tiie  Bible  tells  us  how  things  may 
be  sweet  to  the  mouth,  and  bitter  to  the  inwards." 

"  True,  true,"  interrupted  the  Judge,  a  little  impatiently ;  "but 
here  is  a  youth  who  needs  no  deception  to  lure  .him  to  his 
r>v:n  benefit.  I .  see,  by  his  eye,  that  he  fears  nothing  more 
than  delay." 

The  stranger  had,  without  assistance,  bared  his  own  shoulder, 
when  the  slight  perforation,  produced  by  the  passage  of  the 
buckshot,  was  plainly  visible.  The  intense  cold  of  the  evening 
liad  stopped  the  bleeding,  and  Dr.  Todd  casting  a  furtive  glance 
at  the  wound,  thought  it  by  no  means  so  formidable  an  affair  as 
he  had  anticipated.  Thus  encouraged  he  approached  his  patient, 
and  made  some  indication  of  an  intention  to  trace  the  route  that 
had  been  taken  by  the  lead. 

Remarkable  often  found  occasions,  in  after  days,  to  recount  the 
minutiae  of  that  celebrated  operation  ;  and  when  she  arrived  at 
this  point,  she  commonly  proceeded  as  follows : — "  And  then 
the -Doctor  tuck  out  of  the  pocket-book  a  long  thing,  like  a 
knitting-needle,  with  a  button  fastened  to  the  end  on't ;  and  then 
he  pushed  it  into  the  wownd  ;  and  then  the  young  man  looked 
awful ;  and  then  I  thought  I  should  hnve  swanedaway — I  felt  in 
sitch  a  disp'ut  taking  ;  and  then  the  Doctor  had  run  it  right 
through  his  shoulder,  and  shoved  the  bullet  out  oa  t'other  eide ; 


L<  THE  PIONEERS. 

and  so  Dr.  Todd  cured  the  young  man — of  a  ball  that  the  Judgo' 
ha4  'shot  into  him,  for  all  the  world,  as  easy  as  I  could  pick 
out  a  splinter  with  my  darning-needle." 

Such  were  the  impressions  of  Remarkable  on  the  subject ;  and 
such,  doubtless,  were  the  opinions  of  most  of  those  who  felt  it 
necessary  to  entertain  a  species  of  religious  veneration  for  the 
skill  of  Elnathan  ;  but  such  was  far  from  the  truth. 

When  the  physician  attempted  to  introduce  the  instrument 
described  by  Remarkable,  he  was  repulsed  by  the  stranger, 
with  a  good  deal  of  decision  and  some  little  contempt  in  his 
manner. 

"  I  believe,  sir,"  he  said,  "  that  a  probe  is  not  necessary  ;  the 
shot  has  missed  the  bone,  and  has  passed  directly  through  the 
arm  to  the  opposite  side,  where  it  remains  but  skin-deep,  and 
whence,  I  should  think,  it  might  be  easily  extracted." 

"  The  gentleman  knows  best,"  said  Dr.  Todd,  laying  down  the 
probe  with  the  air  of  a  man  who  had  assumed  it  merely  in  com- 
pliance with  forms ;  and  turning  to  Richard,  he  fingered  the 
lint  with  the  appearance  of  great  care  and  foresight.  "  Admirably 
well  scraped,  Squire  Jones  !  it  is  about  the  best  lint  I  have  ever 
seen.  I  want  your  assistance,  my  good  sir,  to  hold  the  patient's 
arm,  while  I  make  an  incision  for  the  ball.  Now,' I  rather  guess, 
there  is  not  another  gentleman  present  who  could  scrape  the  lint 
BO  well  as  Squire  Jones." 

"Such  things  run  in  families,"  observed  Richard,  rising  with 
alacrity  to  render  the  desired  assistance.  "  My  father  and  my 
grandfather  before  him  were  both  celebrated  for  their  knowledge 
of  surgery  ;  they  were  not,  like  Marmaduke  here,  puffed  up  with 
au  accidental  thing,  such  as  the  time  when  he  drew  in  the  hip- 
joint  of  the  man  who  was  thrown  from  his  horse  :  that  was  the 
fall  before  you  came  into  the  settlement,  Doctor ;  but  they 
were  men  who  were  taught  the  thing,  regularly,  spending  half 
their  lives  in  learning  those  little  niceties ;  though,  for  the 
matter  of  that,  my  grandfather  was.  a  college-bred  physician, 
and  the  best  in  the  colony  too, — that  is,  in  his  neighbour- 
hood." 

"So  it  goes  with  the  world,  Squire,"  cried  Benjamin,  "if  so 
he  that  a  man  wants  to  walk  the  quarter-deck  with  credit,  d'ye 
see,  and  with  regular  built  swabs  on  his  shoulders,  he  musiit 
think  to  do  it  by  getting  in  at  the  cabin-windows.  There  are 
two  ways  to  get  into  a  top,  besides  the  lubber  holes.  The  true 
way  to  walk  aft  is  to  begin  forrard  ;  tho'f  it  be  only  in  a  humble 
way,  like  myself,  d'ye  see,  which  was,  from  being  only  a  hander 
of  top-gallant-sails,  and  a  stower  of  the  flying-jib,  to  keeping 
the  key  of  the  Captain's  locker." 

"-Benjamin  speaks  quite  to  the  purpose,"  continued  Richard. 
u  I  daresay  that  he  has  often  seen  shot  extracted  in  the  <dlfferen$ 


THE  PIONEERS.  F>9 

ih  trnich  he  nas  served  ;  suppose  we  get  \lm  to  hold  the 
.basin  ;  he  must  be  used  to  the  sight  of  blood. 

"That  he  is,  Squire,  that  he  is,"  interrupted  the  ci-devant 
steward ;  "  many's  the  good  shot,  round,  double-headed,  and  grape, 
that  I've  seen  the  doctors  at  work  on.  For  the  matter  of  that, 
I  was  in  a  boat,  alongside  the  ship,  when  they  cut  out  the 
twelve-pound  shot  from  the  thigV»  of  the  Captain  of  the  Foody- 
rong,  one  of  Mounsheer  Ler  Quaw's  countrymen  I " 1 

"  A  twelve-pound  ball  from  the  thigh  of  a  human  'being  1 " 
exclaimed  Mr.  Qrant,  with  great  simplicity,  dropping  the  sermon 
he  was  again  reading,  and  raising  hia  spectacles  to  the  top  of  his 
forehead. 

"  A  twelve-pounder ! "  echoed  Benjamin,  staring  around  him 
with  much  confidence;  "  a  twelve- pounder  !  ay!  a  twenty-four 
pound  shot  can  easily  be  taken  from  a  man's  body,  if  so  be  a 
doctor  only  knows  how.  There's  Squire  Jones  now,  ask  him, 
sir  ;  he  reads  all  the  books  ;  ask  him,  if  he  never  fell  in  with  a 
page  that  keeps  the  reckoning  of  such  things." 

"Certainly,  more  important  operations  than  that  nave  been 
performed,"  observed  Richard ;  "  the  Encyclopaedia  mentions 
much  more  incredible  circumstances  than  that,  as,  I  daresay, 
you  know,  Doctor  Todd," 

"Certainly,  there  are  incredible  tales  told  in  the  Encyclo- 
paedias," returned  Elnathan,  "  though  I  cannot  say  that  I  nave 
ever  seen  myself  anything  larger  than  a  musket  bullet  ex- 
tracted." 

During  this  discourse  an  incision  had  been  made  through  the 
skin  of  the  young  hunter's  shoulder,  and  the  lead  was  laid  bare. 
Elnathan  took  a  pair  of  glittering  forceps,  and  was  in  the  act  of 
applying  them  to  the  wound,  when  a  sudden  motion  of  the 
patient  caused  the  shot  to  fall  out  of  itself.  The  long  arm  and 
l>road  hand  of  the  operator  were  now  of  .singular  service ;  for 
the  latter  expanded  itself,  and  caught  the  lead,  while,  at  the 
same  time,  an  extremely  ambiguous  motion  was  made  by  its 
brother,  so  as  to  leave  it  doubtful  to  the  spectators  how  great 
was  its  agency  in  releasing  the  shot.  Richard,  however,  put  the 
matter  at  rest,  by  exclaiming, — 

"  Very  neatly  done,  Doctor  I  I  have  never  seen  a  shot  more 
neatly  extracted ;  and,  I  daresay,  Benjamin  will  eay  th« 
same." 

"  Why,  considering,"  returned  Benjamin,  "  I  must  eay  that  it 
was  ship-shape  and  Brister-fashion.  Now  all  that  the  Doctor 
has  to  do  is  to  clap  a  couple  of  plugs  in  the  holes,  and  th«  lad 
will  float  in  any  gale  that  blows  in  these  here  bills." 

i  It  Is  possible  that  the  reader  may  start  at  this  declaration  of  Benjamin,  bnt 
those  who  have  lived  in  the  new  settlement*  of  America  are  too  much  accustomed 
to  hear  of  these  European  exploits  to  doubt  it 


60  THE  PIOXEERS. 

"  I  thank  yon,  sir,  for  what  you  have  done,"  said  the  youth 
with  a  little  distance;  "but  here  is  a  man  who  will  take  me 
nnder  his  care,  and  spare  you  all,  gentlemen,  any  further  trouble 
on  my  account." 

The  whole  group  turned  their  heads  in  surprise,  and  beheld, 
standing  at  one  of  the  distant  doors  of  the  hall,  the  person  of 
Indian  John. 


CHAPTER*  YII. 

From  Susquehanna's  utmost  springs, 

WheVe  savage  tribes  pursue  their  game, 

His  blanket  tied  with  yellow  strings, 

The  shepherd  of  the  forest  came.  FRENEAC. 

BEFORE  the  Europeans,  or,  to  use  a  more  significant  terra,  the 
Christians,  dispossessed  the  original  owners  of  the  soil,  all  that 
section  of  country  which  contains  the  New  England  States,  and 
those  of  the  Middle,  which  lie  east  of  the  mountains,  was  occu- 
pied by  two  great  nations  of  Indians,  from  whom  had  descended 
numberless  tribes,  But  as  the  original  distinctions  between 
these  nations  were  marked  by  a  difference  in  language,  as  well 
as  by  repeated  and  bloody  wars,  they  never  were  known  to 
amalgamate  until  after  the  power  and  inroads  of  the  whites  had 
reduced  some  of  the  tribes  to  a  state  of  dependence  that  rendered 
not  only  their  political  but,  considering  the  wants  and  habits 
of  a  savage,  their  animal  existence  also  extremely  precarious. 

These  two  great  divisions'  consisted,  on  the  one"  side,  of 
the  Five,  or,  as  they  were  afterwards  called,  the  Six  Nations, 
and  their  allies  ;  and,  on  the  other,  of  the  Lenni  Lenape,  09 
Delawares,  with  the  numerous  and  powerful  tribes  that 
owned  that  nation  as  their  Grandfather.  The  former  were 
generally  called  by  the  Anglo-Americans,  Iroquois,  or  the  Six 
Nations,  and  sometimes  Mingoes.  Their  appellation  among 
their  rivals  seems  generally  to  have  been  the  Mengwe,  or( 
Maqua.  They  consisted  of  the  tribes,  or,  as  their  allies  were 
.fond  of  asserting,  in.  order  to  raise  their  consequence,  of  the 
several  nations  of  the  Mohawks,  the  Oneidas,  the  Onondagas, 
Cayugas,  and  Senecas ;  who  ranked,  in  the  confederation,  in 
the  order  in  which  they  arc  named.  The  Tuscaroras  were 
admitted  to  this  imion,  near  a  century  after  its  formation,  and 
thus  completed  the  nurr.ber  to  six. 

Of  the  Lenni  Lenape,  or-  as  they  were  called  by  the  whites, 
from  the  circumstance  of  their  holding  their  great  council-fire 
on  the  banks  of  that  river,  the  Delaware  nation,  the  principal 
tribes,  besides  that  which  bore  the  generic  name,  were  the 
Mahicanni,  Mohicans,  or  Mohegans,  and  the  Nanticokes,  or 
Nentigces.  Of  these  the  latter  held  the  country  along  the 

31 


6*  THE  PIONEERS, 

waters  of  the  Chesapeake  and  the  seashore  ;  while  the  MoKegans 
occupied  the  distnct  between  the  Hudson  and  the  ocean, 
including  much  of  New  England.  Of  course  these  two  tribes 
were  the  first  who  were  dispossessed  of  their  lands  by  the 
Europeans. 

The  wars  of  a  portion  of  the  latter  are  celebrated  among  us  as 
i the  wars  of  King  Philip ;  but  the  peaceful  policy  of  William 
*Penn,  or  Miquon,  as  he  was  termed  by  the  natives,  effected  its 
object  with  less  difficulty,  though  not  with  less  certainty.  As 
the  natives  gradually  disappeared  from  the  country  of  the 
Mohegans,  some  scattering  families  sought  a  refuge  around  the 
council-fire  of  the  mother  tribe,  or  the  Delawares. 

This  people  had  been  induced  to  suffer  themselves  to  be  called 
women  by  tneir  old  enemies,  the  Mingoes,  or  Iroquois,  after  the 
latter,  having  in  vain  tried  the  effects  of  hostility,  had  recourse 
to  artifice  in  order  to  prevail  over  their  rivals.  According  to 
tihis  declaration  the  Delawares  were  to  cultivate  the  arts  of 
peace,  and  to  intrust  their  defence  entirely  to  the  men,  or  warlike 
tribes  of  the  Six  Nations. 

This  state  of  things  continued  until  the  war  of  the  Be  volution, 
when  the  Lenni  Lenape  formally  asserted  their  independence, 
and  fearlessly  declared  that  they  were  again  men.  But  in  a 
government  so  peculiarly  republican  as  the  Indian  polity,  it  was 
not  at  all  times  an  easy  task  to  restrain  its  members  within  the 
rules  of  the  nation.  Several  fierce  and  renowned  warriors  of  the 
Mohegans,  finding  the  conflict  with  the  whites  to  be  in  vain, 
sought  a  refuge  with  their  Grandfather,  and  brought  with  them 
the  feelings  and  principles  that  had  so  long  distinguished  them 
in  their  own  tribe.  These  chieftains  kept  alive,  in  some  measure, 
the  martial  spirit  of  the  Delawares ;  and  would  at  times  lead 
small  parties  against  their  ancient  enemies,  or  such  other  foes  as 
incurred  their  rssentment. 

Among  these  warriors  was  one  race  particularly  famous  for 
their  prowess,  and  for  those  qualities  that  render  an  Indian  hero 
celebrated.  But  war,  time,  disease,  and  want,  had  conspired  to 
thin  their  number ;  and  the  sole  representative  of  this  once 
(renowned  family  now  stood  in  the  hall  of  Mannaduka  'Temple. 
He  had,  for  a  long  time,  been  an  associate  of  the  wnite  men, 
particularly  in  their  wars ;  and  having  been,  at  a  season  whea 
his  services  were  of  importance,  much  noticed  and  flattered,  be 
had  turned  Christian,  and  was  baptized  by  the  name  of  John, 
He  had  suffered  severely  in  his  family  during  the  recent  war. 
having  had  every  soul  to  whom  he  was  allied  cut  off  by  an  inroad 
of  the  t  .'Uemy ;  and  when  the  last,  lingering  remnant  of  his  nation 
extinguished  their  fires  among  the  huls  of  the  Delaware,  he  alone 
had  remained,  with  a  determination  of  laving  his  bones  in  that 
country  where  his  fathers  had  so  long  lived  and  governed. 


THE  PIONEERS.  63 

It  was  only,  however,  within  a  few  months  that  he  had 
appeared  among  the  mountains  that  surrounded  Tcmplcton. 
To  the  hut  of  the  old  hunter  he  seemed  peculiarly  welcome  ; 
and  as  the  habits  of  the  "  Leather-stocking "  were  eo  nearly 
assimilated  to  those  of  the  savages,  the  conjunction  of  their 
interests  excited  no  surprise.  They  resided  in  the  same  cabin, 
ate  of  the  same  food,  and  wero  chiefly  occupied  in  the  same 
pursuits. 

We  have  already  mentioned  the  baptismal  name  of  this 
ancient  chief;  but  in  his  conversation  with  Natty,  held  in  the 
language  of  the  Dolaxvares,  he  was  heard  uniformly  to  call  himself 
Chingachgook,which,intprpreted,means  the  "GreatSnake."  This 
name  he  had  acquired  in  youth  by  his  skill  and  prowess  in  war ;  but 
when  his  brows  began  to  wrinkle  with  time,  and  he  stood  alone, 
the  last  of  his  family,  and  his  particular  tribe,  the  few  Delawares 
who  yet  continued  about  the  head-waters  of  their  river  gave  him 
the  mournful  appellation  of  Mohegan.  Perhaps  there  was  some- 
thing of  deep  feeling  excited  in  the  bosom  of  this  inhabitant  of 
the  forest  by  the  sound  of  a  name  that  recalled  the  idea  of  his 
nation  in  ruins,  for  he  seldom  used  it  himself — never  indeed, 
excepting  on  the  most  solemn  occasions ;  but  the  settlers  had 
united,  according  to  the  Christian  custom,  his  baptismal  with 
his  national  name,  and  to  them  he  was  generally  known  as  John 
Mohegan,  or,  more  familiarly,  as  Indian  John. 

From  his  long  association  with  the  white  men^  the  habits  of 
Mohegan  were  a  mixture  of  the  civilized  and  savage  states, 
though  there  was  certainly  a  strong  preponderance  in  favour  of 
the  latter.  In  common  with  all  his  people,  who  dwelt  within 
the  influence  of  the  Anglo  -  Americans,  he  had  acquired  new 
wants,  and  his  dress  was  a  mixture  of  his  native  and  European 
fashions.  Notwithstanding  the  intense,  cold  without,  his  head 
was  uncovered  ;  but  a  profusion  of  long,  black,  coarse  hair  con- 
coaled  his  forehead,  his  crown,  and  even  hung  about  his  cheeks, 
so  as  to  convey  the  idea,  to  one  who  knew  his  present  and  former 
conditions,  that  he  encouraged  its  abundance,  as  a  willing  veil, 
to  hide  the  shame  of  a  noble  soul  mourning  for  glory  once 
known.  His  forehead,  when  it  could  be  st-en,  appeared  lofty, 
broad,  and  noble.  His  nose  was  high,  and  of  the  kind  called 
Roman,  with  nostrils  that  expanded,  in  his  seventieth  year, 
with  the  freedom  that  had  distinguished  them  in  youth.  His 
mouth  was  large  but  compressed,  and  possessing  a  great  share  of 
expression  and  character,  and,  when  opened,  it  discovered  a 
perfect  set  of  short,  strong,  and  regular  teeth.  Hia  chin  was 
full,  though  not  prominent ;  and  his  face  bore  the  infallible 
mark  of  his  people,  in  its  square^  high  cheek-bones.  The  eyes 
were  not  large,  but  their  black  orbs  glittered  in  the  rays  of  the 
candles,  as  he  gized  intently  down  the  hall,  like  two  balLs  of  fiw. 


n  i  THE  PWfiJERS. 

The  instant  that  Mohcgau  observed  himself  to  be  noticed  by 
the  group  around  the  young  stranger,  ho  dropped  the  blanket, 
which  covered  the  upper  part  of  his  frame,  frorcivhis  shoulders, 
suffering  it  to  fall  over  his  leggings  of  untanned  deer-skin,  where 
it  was  retained  by  a  belt  of  bark  that  confined  it  to  his  waist. 

As  he  walked  slowly  down  the  long  hall,  the  dignified  nml 
deliberate  tread  of  the  Indian  surprised  the  spectators. 
shouldere,  and  body  to  liis  waist,  were  entirely  bare,  with  l^ 
exception  of  a  silver  medallion  of  Washington,  that  was  TO 
pended  from  his  neck  by  a  thong  of  buck-skin,  and  rested  on  h 
high  chest  amidst  many   scars.      His   shoulders  were    rail:. 
broad  and  full ;  but  the  arms,   though  straight  and  graceful, 
wanted  the  muscular  appearance  that  labour  gives  to  a  race  ot' 
men.    The  medallion  was  the  only  ornament  he  wore,  although 
enormous  slits  in  the  rim  of  either  ear,  which  suffered   the 
cartilages  to  fall  two  inches  below  the  members,  had  evidently 
been  used  for  the  purposes  of  decoration  in  other  days.     In  his 
hand  he  held  a  small  basket,  of  the  ash-wood  slips,  coloured  in 
divers  fantastical  conceits,  with  red  and  black  paints  mingled 
with  the  white  of  the  wood. 

As  this  child  of  the  forest  approached  them,  the  whole  party 
stood  aside,  and  allowed  him  to  confront  the  object  of  his  visit. 
He  did  not  speak,  however,  but  stood  fixing  his  glowing  eyes  on 
the  shoulder  of  the  young  hunter,  and  then  turning  them  intently 
on  the  countenance  of  the  Judge.  The  latter  was  a  good  deal 
astonished  at  this  unusual  departure  from  the  ordinarily  subdued 
and  quiet  manner  of  the  Indian  ;  but  he  extended  his  hand,  and 
said, — 

"Thou  art  welcome,  John.  This  youth  entertains  a  high 
opinion  of  thy  skill,  it  seems,  for  he  prefers  thee  to  dress  his 
wound  even  to  our  good  friend  Dr.  Todd." 

Mohegan  now  spoke,  in  tolerable  English,  but  in  a  low,  mono- 
tonous, guttural  tone  : — . 

"The  children  of  Miquon  do  not  love  the  sight  of  blood  ;  and 
yet  the  Young  Eagle  lias  been  struck  by  the  hand  that  should 
no  no  evil  1 " 

"  Mohegan  !  old  John  ! "  exclaimed  the  Judge,  "  thinker 
thou  th.it  my  hand  has  ever  drawn  human  blood  willingly  i 
For  shame  !  for  shame,  old  John  !  thy  religion  should  have 
taught  thee  better." 

"The  evil  spirit  sometimes  lives  in  the  best  heart,"  returned 
John,  "but  my  brother  speaks  the  truth  ;  his  hand  has  never 
taken  life,  when  awake  ;  no  !  not  even  when  the  children  of  the 
great  English  Father  were  making  the  waters  red  with  the  blood 
of  his  people." 

"Surely,  John,"  said  Mr.  Grant,  with  much  earnestness,  "you 
Remember  the  divine  command  of  our  Saviour,  'Judge  not>  Jest 


THE  PIONEERS.  65 

ye  be  judged.'  What  motive  could  Judge  Temple  have  for 
injuring  a  youth  like  this  ;  one  to  whom  he  is  unknown,  and 
from  whom  he  can  receive  neither  injury  nor  favour  ?" 

John  listened  respectfully  to  the  divine,  and  when  he-  had 
concluded,  he  stretched  out  his  arm,  and  said  with  energy, — 

"  He  is  innocent — my  brother  has  not  done  this." 

Marmaduke  received  the  offered  hand  of  the  other  with  a 
smile,  that  showed,  hpwever  he  might  be  astonished  at  his 
suspicion,  he  had  ceased  to  resent  it ;  while  the  wounded  youth 
stood,  gazing  from  his  red  friend  to  his  host,  with  interest 
powerfully  delineated  in  his  countenance.  No  sooner  was  this 
act  of  pacification  exchanged,  than  John  proceeded  to  discharge 
the  duty  on  which  he  had  come.  Dr.  Todd  was  far  from 
manifesting  any  displeasure  at  this  invasion  of  his  rights,  but 
made  way  for  the  new  leech  with  an  air  that  expressed  a  willing- 
ness to  gratify  the  humours  of  his  patient,  now  that  the  all- 
important  part  of  the  business  was  so  successfully  performed, 
and  nothing  remained  to  be  done  but  what  any  child  might 
effect.  Indeed,  he  whispered  as  much  to  Monsieur  Le  Quoi, 
when  he  said, — 

"It  was  fortunate  that  the  ball  was  extracted  before  this 
Indian  came  in  ;  but  any  old  woman  can  dr,ess  the  wound.  The 
young  man,  I  hear,  lives  with  John  and  Natty  Bumppo,  and  it's 
always  best  to  humour  a  patient,  when  it  can  be  done  discreetly 
— I  say,  discreetly,  Monsieur." 

"  Certainement,"  returned  the  Frenchman;  "you  seem  ver 
happy,  Mister  Todd,  in  your  pratique.  I  tink  de  elder  lady  might 
ver  well  finish  vat  you  so  skeelfully  begin." 

But  Richard  haa,  at  the  bottom,  a  great  deal  of  veneration  for 
the  knowledge  of  Mohcgan,  especially  in  external  wounds  ;  and 
retaining  all  his  desire  for  a  participation  in  glory,  he  advanced 
nigh  the  Indian,  and  said, — 

"  Sago,  sago,  Mohegan  !•  sago,  my  good  fellow  !  I  'am  glad 
you  have  come  ;  give  me  a  regular  physician,  like  Ur.  Todd,  to 
cut  into  flesh,  and  a  native  to  heal  the  wound.  Do  you  remem- 
ber, John,  the  time  .when  I  and  you  set  the  bone  of  Natty 
Bumppo's  little  finger,  after  he  broke  it  by  falling  from  the 
rock,  when  he  was  trying  to  get  the  partridge  that  fell  on  the 
Cliffs.  I  never  could  tell  yet  whether  it  was  I  or  Natty  who 
killed  that  bird  :  he  fired  first,  and  the  bird  stooped,  but  then  it 
was  rising  again  as  I  pulled  trigger.  I  should  have  claimed  it, 
for  a  certainty,  but  Natty  said  the  hole  wns  too  big  for  shot,  and 
he  fired  a  single  ball  from  his  rifle  ;  but  the  piece  I  carried  then 
didn't  s«atter,  and  I  have  known  it  to  bore  a  hole  through  a 
board,  v/hen  I've  been  shooting  at  the  mark,  very  much  like  rifle 
bullets  S-r".  !  help  you,  John?  You  know  I  have  a  knack  at 


»  THE  PIONEERS, 

Mohegan  heard  this  disquisition  quite  patiently,  and  when 
Richard  concluded,  he  held  out  the  basket,  which  contained  his 
specifics,  indicating  by  a  gesture  that  he  might  hold  it  Mr. 
Jones  was  quite  satisfied  with  this  commission  ;  and  ever  after, 
hi  sneaking  of  the  event,  was  used  to  say,  that  "  Doctor  Todd 
and  I  cut  out  the  bullet,  and  I  and  Indian  John  dressed  the 
wound." 

The  patient  was  much  more  deserving  of  that  epithet  while 
under  the  hands  of  Mohegati,  than  while  suffering  under  the 
practice  of  the  physician.  Indeed,  the  Indian  gave  him  but  little 
opportunity  for  the  exercise  of  a  forbearing  temper,  as  he  had 
come  prepared  for  the  occasion.  1  f  is  dressings  were  soon  applied, 
and  consisted  only  of  some  pounded  bark,  moi.stemd  with  a  fluid 
that  he  had  expressed  from  some  of  the  ?implcs  of  the  woods. 

Among  the  native  tribes  of  the  forest  there  were  always  two 
kinds  of  leeches  to  be  met  with.  The  one  placed  its  whole 
dependence  on  the  exercise  of  a  supernatural  power,  and  was  held 
in  greater  veneration  than  their  practice  could  at  all  justify  :  but 
•the  other  was  really  endowed  with  great  skill  in  the  ordinary 
complaints  of  the  human  body,  and  was,  more  particularly,  aa 
Natty  had  intimated,  "curous  in  cuts  and  bruises." 

While  John  and  Richard  were  placing  the  dressings  on  tho 
wound,  Elnathan  was  acutely  eyeing  the  contents  of  Mohegan'a 
l>asket,  which  Mr.  Jones,  in  his  physical  ardour,  had  transferred  to 
the  Doctor,  in  order  to  hold  himself  one  end  of  the  bandages.  Here 
he  was  *oon  enabled  to  detect  sundry  fragment.?  of  wood  and  bark, 
of  which  he,  quite  coolly,  took  possession,  very  possibly  without 
any  intention  of  speaking  at  all  upon  the  subject ;  but  when  he 
beheld  the  full  blue  eye  of  Marmaduke  watching  his  movements, 
he  whispered  to  the  Judge,  — 

"  It  is  not  to  Ixj  denied,  Judge  Temple,  but  what  the  savages 
are  knowing  in  small  matters  of  physic.  They  hand  these  thing* 
down  in  their  traditions.  Now  in  cancers  and  hydrophoby  they 
are  quite  ingenious.  I  will  just  take  this  bark  home,  and  analyze 
it ;  for,  though  it  can't  be  worth  sixpence  to  the  young  man's 
shoulder,  it  may  be  good  for  the  toothache,  or  rheumatism,  or  some 
of  them  complaints.  A.  man  should  never  be  above  learning, 
even  if  it  be  from  an  Indian." 

It  was  fortunate  for  Dr.  Todd  that  his  principles  were  so 
liberal,  as,  coupled  with  his  practice,  they  were  the  means  by 
which  he  acquired  all  his  knowledge,  and  by  which  he  was 
gradually  qualifying  himself  for  the  duties  of  his  profession. 
The  process  to  which  he  subjected  the  s-pecific  differed,  however, 
greatly  from  the  ordinary  rules  of  chemistry  ;  for,  instead  of 
separating,  lie  Afterwards  united  the  component  parts  of  Mohegan'a 
remedy,  and  thus  was  able  to  discover  the  tree  whence  the 
Indian  had  taken  it. 


TEE  PIONEERS.  07 

Some  tan  years  after  this  event,  when  civilization  and  its 
refinements  had  crept,  or  rather  rushed,  into  the  settlement* 
amen"  these  wild  hills,  an  affair  of  honour  occurred,  and 
Elnatnan  was  seen  to  apply  a  salve  to  the  wound  received  by  one* 
of  the  parties,  which  had  the  flavour  that  was  peculiar  to  the 
tree  or  root  that  Mohegan  had  used.  Ten  years  later  still,  when 
England  and  the  United  States  were  again  engaged  in  war,  and 
the  hordes  of  the  western  parts  of  the  State  of  New  York  were 
rushing  to  the  field,  Elnathan,  presuming  on  the  reputation 
obtained  by  these  tAvo  operations,  followed  in  the  rear  of  a  brigade 
of  militia  as  its  surgeon  ! 

When  Mohegan  had  applied  the  bark,  he  freely  relinquished 
to  RJcVard  the  needle  and  thread  that  were  used  in  sewing  the 
bandabes,  for  these  were  implements  of  which  the  native  but  little 
understood  the  use;  and  stepping  back,  with  decent  gravity, 
awaited  the  completion  of  the  tmsiness  by  the  other. 

"  Reach  me  the  scissors,"  gaid  Mr.  Jones,  when  he  had  finished, 
and  finished  for  the  second  time,  after  tying  the  linen  in  every 
shape  and  form  that  it  could  be  placed  ;  "  reach  me  the  scissors, 
for  here  is  a  thread  that  must  be  cut  off,  or  it  might  get  under 
the  dressings,  and  inflame  the  wound.  See,  John,  I  have  put  the 
lint  I  scraped  between  two  layers  of  the  linen ;  for  though  the 
bark  is  certainly  best  for  the  flesh,  yet  the  lint  will  serve  to  keep 
the  cold  air  from  the  wound.  If  any  lint  will  do  it  good,  it  is 
this  lint ;  I  scraped  it  myself,  and  I  will  not  turn  my  back,  at 
scraping  lint,  to  any  man  on  the  Patent.  I  ought  to  know  how, 
if  anybody  ought,  for  my  grandfather  was  a  doctor,  and  my 
father  had  a  natural  turn  that  way." 

"Here,  Squire,  is  the  scissors,"  said  Remarkable,  producing 
from  beneath  her  petticoat  of  green  moreen,  a  pair  of  dull- looking 
shears  ;  "well,  upon  my  say-so,  you  have  sewed  on  the  rags  as- 
well  as  a  woman. 

"  As  well  as  a  woman ! "  echoed  Richard  with  indignation  ; 
"  what  do  women  know  of  such  matters  ?  and  you  are  proof  of  the 
truth  of  what  I  say.  Who  ever  saw  such  a  pair  of  shears  used 
about  a  wound?  Dr.  Todd,  I  will  thank  you  for  the  scissora 
from  the  case.  Now,  young  man,  I  think  you'll  do.  The  shot 
has  been  very  neatly  taken  out,  although  perhaps,. seeing  I  had  a 
hand  in  it,  I  ought  not  to  say  so ;  and  the  wound  is  admirably 
dressed.  You  will  soon  be  well  again ;  though  the  jerk  you  gave 
my  leaders  must  have  a  tendency  to  inflame  the  .shoulder,-  yet 
you  will  do,  you  will  do.  You  were  rather  flurried,  I  suppose, 
and  not  used  to  horses ;  but- 1  forgive  the  accident  for  the  motive : 
— no  doubt,  you  had  the  best  of  motives' ; — yes, "now  you  will  do." 

"Then,  gentlemen,"  said  the  wounded  stranger,  rising  and 
resuming  his  clothes,  "  it  will  be  unnecessary  for  me  to  trespass 
longer  on  your  time  ai  d  patience.  There  remains  but  one  thing 


W  THE  PIONEERS. 

more  to  be  settled,  and  that  is  our  respective  rights  to  the  deer, 
Judge  Temple." 

"I  acknowledge  it  to  be  thine,"  said  Marmadukc  ;  "arid  much 
more  deeply  am  I  indebted  to  tliee  than  for  this  piece  of  venison. 
But  in  the  morning  thou  wilt  call  here,  and  we  can  adjust  this, 
iia  well  as  more  important  .matters.  Elizabeth,"— for  the  young 
lady  being  apprised  that  the  wound  was  dressed,  had  re-entered 
the  hall,— "thou  wilt  order  a  repast  for  this  youth  before  we  pro- 
ceed to  the  church  ;  and  Aggy  will  have  a  sleigh  prepared  to 
convey  him  to  his  friend." 

"  But,  sir,  I  cannot  go  without  a  part  of  the  deer,"  returned  the 
youth,  seemingly  struggling  with  his  own  feelings;  "I  have 
already  told  you  that  I  needed  the  venison  for  myself." 

"  Oh  1  \ve  will  not  be  particular,"  exclaimed  Richard ;  "  the 
Judge  will  pay  you,  in  the  morning,  for  the  whole  deer ;  and, 
Remarkable,  give  the  lad  all  the  animal  excepting  the  saddle ;  so, 
on  the  whole,  I  think  you  may  consider  yourself  a  very  lucky 
young  man  ; — yon  have  been  shot,  without  being  disabled  ;  have 
had  the  wound  dressed  in  the  best  possible  manner,  here  in  the 
woods,  as  well  as  it  would  have  been  done  in  the  Philadelphia 
hospital,  if  not  better ;  have  sold  your  deer  at  a  high  price,  and 
vet  can  keep  most  of  the  carcase,  with  the  skin  in  the  bargain. 
Marky,  tell  Tom  to  give  him  the  skin  too  ;  and  in  the  morning 
bring  the  skin  to  me,  and  I  will  give  you  half-a-dollar  for  it,  or  at 
least  three-and-sixpence.  I  want  jntt  such  a  skin  to  cover  the 
pillion  that  I  am  making  for  cousin  Bess.1' 

<rl  thank  you,  sir,  for  your  liberality,  and,  I  trust,  am  also 
thankful  for  my  escape,"  returned  the  stranger  ;  "but  you  reserve 
the  very  part  of  th"e  animal  that  I  wished  for  my  own  use.  I 
must  have  the  saddle  myself." 

"Must!"  echoed  Richard;  "musfe  is  harder  to  be  swallowed 
than  the  ^orns  of  the  buck." 

"  Yes,  must.,"  repeated  the  youth  :  when,  turning  his  head 
proudly  around  him,  as  if  to  see  who  would  dare  to  controvert 
nia  rignts,  he  met  the  astonished  gaze  of  Elizabeth,  and  pro- 
ceeded more  mildly, — "that  is,  if  a  man  is  allowed  the  possession 
of  that  which  his  hand  hath  killed,  and  the  law  will  protect  him 
in  the  enjoyment  of  his  own." 

"The  law  will  do  so,"  said  Judge  Temple,  with  an  air  of 
mortification  mingled  with  surprise*  "Benjamin,  see  that  the 
whole  deer  is  placed  in  the  sleigh  ;  and  have  this  youth  conveyed 
to  the  hut  of  Leather-stocking.  But,  young  man,  thou  hast  a 
iiamo,  ami  I  ^hall  see  you  again,  in  order  to  compensate  thee  for 
the  wrong  f  have  done  thce  ? :> 

"I  am  called  Edwards,"  returned  the  hunter,  "Oliver  EJwarda. 
I  ain  easily  to  be  seen,  sir,  for  I  live  nigh  by,  and  am  not  afraid 
to  show  my  face,  liaving  never  injured  any  man." 


TEE  PIONEERS.     .  69 

"It  is  we  who  have  injured  you,  sir,"  said  Elizabeth;  "and 
the  knowledge  that  you  decline  our  assistance  would  give  my 
father  great  pain.  He  would  gladly  see  you  in  the  morning." 

The  young  hunter  gazed  at  the  i'air  speaker,  until  his  earnest 
look  brought  the  blood  to  her  temples ;  when,  recollecting  hii.. 
self,  he  bent  his  head,  dropping  his  eyes  to  the  carpet,  and  rejmed, — 

"  In  the  morning,  then,  will  I  return,  and  see  Judge  Temple ; 
and  I  will  accept  his  offer  of  the  sleigh,  in  token  of  amity." 

•'  Amity ! "  repeated  Marmaduke  ;  "  there  was  no  malice  in  the 
act  that  injured  thee,  young  man ;  there  should  be  none  in  the 
feelings  which  it  may  engender." 

"Forgive  our  trespasses,  as  we  forgive  those  who  trespass 
against  us,"  observed  Mr.  Grant,  "  is  the  language  used  by  our 
divine  Master  Himself,  and  it  should  be  the  golden  rule  of  us, 
His  humble  followers." 

The  stranger  stood  a  moment,  lost  in  thought,  and  then  glanc- 
ing his  dark  eyes  rather  wildly  around  the  hall,  he  bowed  low 
to  the  divine,  and  moved  from  the  apartment  with  an  air  that 
would  not  admit  of  detention. 

"  JTis  strange  that  one  so  young  should  harbour  such  feelings 
of  resentment,"  said  Marmaduke,  when  the  door  closed  behind 
the  stranger  ;  "  but  while  the  pain  is  recent,  and  the  sense  of  the 
injury  so  fresh,  he  must  feel  more  strongly  than  in  cooler 
moments.  I  doubt  not  we  shall  see  hirn  in  the  morning  more 
tractable." 

Elizabeth,  to  whom  this  speech  was  addressed,  did  not  reply, 
but  moved  slo\vly  up  the  hall  by  herself,  fixing  her  eyes  on  the 
little  figure  of  the  English  ingrained  carpet  that  covered  the 
floor  ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  Richard  gave  a  loud  crack  with 
his  whin,  as  the  stranger  disappeared,  and  cried,— 

"  Wefl,  'duke,  you  are  your  own  master,  but  I  would  have  tried 
law  for  the  saddle,  before  I  would  have  given  it  to  the  fellow. 
Do  you  not  own  the  mountains,  as  well  as  the  valleys  ?  are  not 
the  woods  your  own  ?  what  right  has  this  chap,  or  the  Leather- 
etocking,  to  shoot  in  your  woods,  without  your  permission  3 
Now,  I  have  known  a  farmer,  in  Pennsylvania,  order  a  sportsman 
off  his  farm  with  as  little  ceremony  as  I  would  order  Benjamin 
to  put  a  log  in  the  stove.  By  the  by,  Benjamin,  see  how  the 
thermometer  stands.  Now,  if  a  man  has  a  right  to  do  this  on  a 
farm  of  a  hundred  acres,  what  power  must  a  landlord  have  who 
owns  sixty  thousand — ay  I  for  the  matter  of  that,  including  the 
late  purchases,  a  hundred  thousand  ?  There  is  Mohegan,  to  be 
Mire,  ne  may  have  some  right,  being  a  native  ;  but  ifs  little  the 
poor  fellow  can  do  now  with  his  rifle.  How  is  this  managed  in 
e,  Monsieur  De  Quoi  ?  do  you  let  everybody  run  over  your 
n  that  country,  helter-skelter,  as  they  ob  here,  shooting  th<j 
:  at  *  lenueman  has  but  little  or  no  chance  with  his ; 


TO  THE  PIONEERS, 

"  Bah  1  (liable,  no,  Meester  Deeck,"  replied  the  Frenchman  ; 
"'  we  give,  in  France,  no  liberty,  except  to  the  ladi." 

"  Yes,  yes,  to  the  women,  I  know,"  naid  Richard  ;  "  that  is  your 
•Salic  law.  I  read,  sir,  all  kinds  of  Looks  ;  of  France,  as  well  as 
England  ;  of  Greece,  as  well  as  Rome.  But  if  I  were  in  'duke's 
place,  -I  would  stick  up  advertisements  to-morrow  morning, 
forbidding  all  persons  to  shoot  or  trespass  in  any  manner  on 
jny  woods.  I  could  write  such  an  advertisement  myself,  in  an 
hour,  as  would  put  a  stop  to  the  thing  at  once." 

"Richart,"  said  Major  Hartmann  very  coolly,  Knocking  the 
ashes  from  his  pipe  into  the  spitting-box  by  his  side,  "now 
listen;  I  have  livet  seventy-five  years  on  ter  Mohawk,  and  in  ter 
•woots. — You  hat  petter  mettle  as  mit  ter  deyvel,  as  init  ter 
hunters.  Tey  live  mit  ter  gun,  and  a  rifle  is  petter  as  ter  law." 

"A'nt  Marmaduke  a  judge?"  said  Richard  indignantly. 
"Where  is  the  use  of  being  a  judge,  or  having  a  judge,  if  there 
is'no  law?  Damn  the  fellow  !  I  have  a  great  mind  to  sue  him 
in  the  morning  myself,  before  Squire  Doolittle,  for  meddling  with 
my  leaders.  I  am  not  afraid  of  his  rifle.  1  can  shoot  too.  I 
have  hit  a  dollar,  many  a  time,  at  fifty  rods." 

"Thou  hast  missed  more  dollars  than  ever  thou  hast  hit, 
Dickon,"  exclaimed  the  cheerful  voice  of  the  Judge. — "  But  we 
jwill  now  take  our  evening's  repast,  which,  I  perceive  by  Remark- 
abJe's  physiognomy,  is  ready.  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  Miss  Temple 
has  a  hand  at  your  service.  Will  you  lead  the  way,  my  child  « " 

w  Ah.!  ma  chere  Mam'selle,  comme  je  suis  enchante" ! "  said  the 
Frenchman.  "  II  ne  manque  que  les  dames  de  faire  un  uaradis 
<ie  Templeton." 

Mr.  Grant  and  Mohegan  continued  in  the  hall,  while  the  re- 
mainder of  the  party  withdrew  to  an  eating  parlour,  if  we  except 
Benjamin,  who  civilly  remained  to  close  the  rear  after  the 
clergyman,  and  to  open  the  front  door  for  the  exit  of  the  Indian. 

"  John,"  said  the  divine,  when  the  figure  of  Judge  Temple 
disappeared,  the  last  of  the  group,  "  to-morrow  is  the  festival  of 
the  nativity  of  our  blessed  Redeemer,  when  the  church  has 
appointed  prayers  and  thanksgivings  to  be  offered  up  by  her 
children,  and  when  all  are  invited  to  partake  of  the  mystical 
elements.  As  you  have  taken  up  the  cross,  and  become  a  follower 
of  good,  and.  an  eschewer  of  evil,  I  trust  I  shall  see  you  before 
the  altar  with  a  contrite  heart  and  a  meek  spirit." 

"John  will  come,"  said  the  Indian,  betraying  no  surprise, 
though  he  did  not  understand  all  the  terms  used  by  the  other. 

"Yes,"  continued  Mr.  Grant*  laying  his  baud  gently  on  tne 
tawny  shoulder  of  the  aged  chief,  "but  it  i«  not  enough-  to  be 
there  in  the  body ;  you  must  come  in  the  spirit  and  in  truth. 
The  Redeemer  died  for  all,  for  the  poor  Indian  aa  well  as  for  the 
white  man.  Heaven  knows  no  difference  in  colour;  nor  must 


PIONEERS.  ?! 

earth  witness  a  separation  of  the  church.  It  is  good  and  profit- 
able, John,  to  freshen  the  understanding,  and  support  the 
•wavering,  by  the  observance  of  our  holy  festivals ;  but  all  form 
is  but  stench  in  the  nostrils  of  the  Holy  One,  unless  it  be  accom- 
panied by  a  devout  and  humble  spirit." 

The  Indian  stepped  back  a  little,  and,  raising  his  body  to  its 
utmost  powers  of  erection,  he  stretched  his  right  arm  on  high, 
and  dropped  his  forefinger  downward,  as  if  pointing  from  the 
[heavens,  then  striking  his  other  hand  on  his  naked  breast,  be 
said  "with  energy, — 

"  The  eye  of  the  Great  Spirit  can  see  from  the  clouds ;  the 
bosom  of  Mohegan  is  bare  ! " 

"It  is  well,  John,  and  I  hope  you  will  receive  profit  and  con- 
solation from  the  performance  of  this  duty.  Tli'p  Great  Spirit 
overlooks  none  of  His  children  ;  and  the  man  of  the  woods  is  &* 
much  an  object  of  His  care  as  he  who  dwells  in  a  palace.  I  wish 
you  a  good  night,  and  pray  God  to  bless  you." 

The  Indian  bent  his  head,  and  they  separated — the  one  to  seek 
his  hut  and  the  other  to  join  the  party  at  the  supper-table.  While 
Benjamin  was  opening  the  door  for  the  passage  of  the  chief,  he 
cried,  in  a  tone  that  was  meant  to  be  encouraging, — 

"  The  parson  says  the  word  that  is  true,  John.  If  so  be  that 
they  took  count  of  the  colour  of  a  skin  in  heaven,  why,  they  might 
refuse  to  .muster  on  their  books  a  Christian-born,  like  myself,  just 
for  the  matter  of  a  little  tan  from  cruising  in  warm  latitudes  ; 
though,  for  the  matter  of  that,  this  damned  nor'-wester  is  enough 
to  whiten  the  skin  of  a  blackamoor.  Let  the  reefs  out  of  your 
blanket,  man,  or  your"  red  hide  will  hardly  weather  the  night 
without  a  touch  from  the  frost" 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

For  here  the  exile  met  from  every  dlime, 

And  spoke,  in  friendship,  every  distant  tongue.      CAMPBELL. 

WE  have  made  our  readers  acquainted  with  som«  variety  in 
character  and  nations,  in  introducing  the  most  important  person- 
ages of  this  legend  to  their  notice-:  but,  in  order  to  establish  the 
fidelity  of  our  narrative,  we  shall  briefly  attempt  to  explain  the 
reason  why  we  have  been  obliged  to  present  so  motley  a  dramatis 
personae. 

Europe,  at  the  period  of  our  tale,  waa  in  the  commencement  of 
that  commotion  which  afterwards  shook  her  political  institutions 
to  the  centre.  Louis  the  Sixteenth  had  been  beheaded,  and  a 
nation,  once  esteemed  the  most  refined'  among  the  civilized  people 
of  the  world,  was  changing  its  character,  and  substituting  cruelty 
for  mercy,  and  subtlety  and  ferocity  for  magnanimity  and  courage. 
Thousands  of  Frenchmen  were  compelled  to  seek  protection  in 
distant  lands.  Among  the  crowds  who  fled  from  France  and  her 
islands  to  the  United  States  of  America  was  the  gentleman  whom 
we  have  already  mentioned  as  Monsieur  Le  Quoi.  He  had  been 
recommended  to  the  favour  of  Judge  Temple  by  the  head  of  an 
eminent  mercantile  house  in  New  York,  with  whom  Marmaduke 
was  in  habits  of  intimacy,  and  accustomed  to  exchange  good 
offices.  At  his  first  interview  with  the  Frenchman,  our  Judge 
had  discovered  him  to  be  a  man  of  breeding,  and  one  who  had 
seen  much  more  prosperous  days  in  his  own  country.  From 
certain  hints  that  had^  escaped  him,  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  was  sus- 
pected of  having  been  a  West  India  planter,  great  numbers  of 
whom  had  fled  from  St.  Domingo  and  the  other  islands,  and 
were  now  living  in  the  Union,  in  a  state  of  comparative  poverty, 
and  some  in  absolute  want.  The  latter  was  not,  hpwever,  the 
lot  of  Monsieur  Le  Quoi.  He  had  but  little,  he  acknowledged, 
but  that  little  was  enough  to  furnish,  in  the  language  of  the 
country,  an  assortment  for  a  store. 

The  knowledge  of  Marmaduke  was  eminently  practical,  and 
there  was  no  part  of  a  setlkr's  life  with  which  he  was  not  familiar. 
Under  his  direction  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  made  some  purchases, 
consisting  of  a  few  cloths ;  some  groceries,  with  a  good  'deal  of 
gunpowder  and  tobacco ;  a  quantity  of  iron  ware,  among  which 


THE  PIONEERS.  '73 

was  a  lai£tt  proportion  of  Barlow's  jack-knives,  potash-kettles, 
and  spid«:  a  very  formidable  collection  of  crockery  of  the 
coarsest  (jn&lity  and  most  uncouth  forms ;  together  with  every 
other  copafixm"  article  that  the  art  of  man  has  devised  for  his 
wants,  not  forgetting  the  luxuries  of  looking-glasses  and  Jews' 
harps.  With  this  collection  of  valuables,,  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  had 
stepped  behind  a.  counter,  and,  with  a  wonderful  pliability  of 
temperament,  had  dropped  into  his  assumed  character  as  gracc- 
fylly  as  he  had  ever  m6ved  in-  any  other.  The  gentleness  and 
suavity  of  his  manners  rendered  him  extremely  popular  ;  besides 
this,  the  •\vomen  soon  discovered  th'at  he  had  a  taste.  His  calicoes 
were  the  finest,  or,  in  pther  words,  the  most  showy,  of  any  that 
were  brought  into  the  country  j  and  it  was  impossible  to  look  at 
the  prices  asked  for  his  goods  by  "so  pretty  a  spoken  man." 
Through  these  conjoint  means  the  affairs  of  Monsieur  Le  Quoi 
were  again  in  a  prosperous  condition,  and  he  was  looked  up  to 
by  the  settlers  as  the  second  best  man  on  the  "  Patent." 

This  term  "Patent"  which  we  have  already  used,  and  for 
which  we  may  have  further  occasion,  meant  the  district  of 
country  that  had  been  originally  granted  to  old  Major  Effingham 
by  the  "  king's  letters  patent,"  and  which  had  now  become,  by 
purchase  under  the  act  of  confiscation,  the  property  qf  Marma- 
duke  Temple.  It  was  a  term  in  common  use  throughout  the  new 
parts  of  the  State ;  and  was  usually  annexed  to  the  landlord's 
name  as  "Temple's  or  EffinghamV Patent." 

Major  Hartmann  was  the  descendant  of  a  man  who,  in  com- 
pany with  a  number  of  his  countrymen,  had  emigrated  with 
their  families  from  the  banks  of  the  Khine  to  those  of  the 
Mohawk.  This  migration  had  occurred  as  far  back  as  the  reign 
of  Queen  Anne  ;  and  their  descendants  were  now  living  in  great- 
peace  and  plenty  on  the  fertile  borders  .of  that  beautiful  stream. 

The  Germans,  or  uHigh  Dutchers,"  as  they  were  called,  to 
distinguish  them  from  the  original  or  Low  Dutch  colonists,  were 
a  very  peculiar  people.  They  possessed  all  the  gravity  of  the 
latter  without  any  of  their  phlegm  ;.  and,  like  them,  the  "  High 
Dutchers"  were  industrious,  honest,  and  economical. 

Fritz,  or  Frederick  Hartmann  was  an  epitome  of  all  the  vices 
and  virtues,  foibles  and  excellences  of  his  race.  He  was  pas- 
sionate, though  silent,  obstinate,  and  a  good  deal  suspicious  of 
strangers  ;  of  immoveable  courage,  inflexible  honesty,  and  un- 
deviating  in  his  friendships.  Indeed  there  was.  no  change  about 
him,  unless  it  were  from  grave  to  gay.  He  was  serious  by 
months,  and  jolly  by  weeks.  He  had,  earlyin  their  acquaintance, 
formed  an  attachment  for  Marinadrake  Temple,  who  was  the  only 
man  that  could  not  speak  High  Dutch  that  ever  gained  his  entire 
confidence.  Four  times  in  each  year,  at  periods  equidistant,  he 
left  his  low  stone  dwelling  on  the  banks  of  the  Mohawk,  and 


74  THE  PlVNEE&S. 

travelled  thirty  milea  through  tlio  hills  to  the  door  of  tho  mau«ien« 
house  in  Templeton.  Here  ho  generally  stayed  a  week,  ami  was 
reputed  to  epend  mxich  of  that  time  m  riotous  living,  greatly 
countenanced  by  Mr.  Richard  Jones.  But  every  one  loveu  him, 
even  to  Remarkable  Pettibone;  to  whom  he  occasioned  soiuo 
additional  trouble,  he  was  so  frank,  so  sincere,  and,  at  times,  sr> 
mirthful.  He  was  now  on  his  regular  Christmas  visit,  and  had 
not  been  in  the  village  an  hour  when  Richard  summoned  him  to 
nil  a  seat  in  the  sleigh,  to  meet  the  landlord  and  his  daughter. 

Before  explaining  the  character  and  situation  of  Mr.  Grant,  it 
will  be  hecessary  to  recur  to  times  far  back  in  the  brief  history 
of  the  settlement. 

There  seems  to  be  a  tendency  in  human  nature  to  endeavour 
to  provide  for  the  wants  of  this  world,  before  our  attention  is 
turned  to  the  business  of  the  other.  Religion  was  a  quality  but 
little  cultivated  amid  the  stumps  of  Temple's  Patent  for  tho  first 
few  years  of  its  settlement ;  but,  as  most  of  its*  inhabitants  were 
from  the  moral  states  of  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts,  when 
the  wants  of  nature  were  satisfied,  they  began  seriously  to  turn 
their  attention  to  tho  introduction  of  those  customs  and  observ- 
ances, which  had  been  the  principal  care  of  their  forefather*. 
There  was  certainly  a  great  variety  of  opinions  on  the  subject  of 
grace  and  free-will  among  the  tenantry  of  Marmadnko  ;  and 
when  we  take  into  consideration  the  variety  of  the  religious 
instruction  which  they  received,  it  can  easily  be  seen  Unit  it 
could  not  well  be  otherwise. 

Soon  after  the  village  had  been  formally  laid  out  into  the 
streets  and  blocks  that  resembled  a  city,  a  meeting  of  its  inhabit- 
ants had  been  convened  to  take  into  consideration  the  propriety 
of  establishing  an  academy.  This  measure  originated  with 
Richard,  who,  in  truth,  was  much  disposed  to  have  the  institution 
designated  a  university,  or  at  least  a  college.  Meeting  after 
meeting  was  held  for  this  purpose  year  after  year.  The  resolu- 
tions ot  these  assemblages  appeared  in  the  most  conspicuous 
columns  of  a  little  blue-looking  newspaper,  that  was  already 
issued  weekly  from  the  garret  of  a  dwelling-house  in  the  village, 
and  which  the  traveller  might  as  often  see  stuck  into  the  fissure 
of  a  stake,  erected  at  the  point  where  the  footpath  from  the  log 
cabin  of  some  settler  entered  the  highway,  as  a  post-office  for  an 
individual.  Sometimes  the  stake  supported  a  small  box,  and  a 
whole  neighbourhood  received  a  weekly  supply  for  their  literary 
wants  at  this  point,  where  the  man  who  "rides  post"  regularly 
deposited  A  bundle  of  the  precious  commodity.  To  these  flourish- 
ing resolutions,  .which  briefly  recounted  the  general  utility  of 
education,  the  political  and  geographical  rights  of  the  village  of 
Templeton  to  a  participation  in  the  favours  of  tho  regents  of  the 
university,  th«  salubrity  of  the  air,  and  wfeolcuomenesa  of  tl/e 


THE  PIONEERS.  78 

water,  together  with  the  cheapness  of  food  and  the  superior  state 
of  morals  in  the  neighbourhood,  were  uniformly  annexed,  in 
large  Roman  capitals,  the  names  of  Marmaduke  Temple  as  chair- 
man, and  Richard  Jones  as  secretary. 

Happily  for  the  success  of  this  undertaking,  the  regents  were 
not  accustomed  to  resist  these  appeals  to  their  generosity  when- 
ever there  was  the  smallest  prospect  of  a  donation  to  second  the 
request.  Eventually  Judge  Temple  concluded  to  bestow  the 
necessary  land,  and  to  erect  the  required  edifice  at  his  own 
expense.  The  skill  of  Mr.,  or,  as  he  was  now  called,  from  the 
circumstance  of  having  received  the  commission  of  a  justice  of 
the  peace,  Squire  Doolittle,  was  again  put  in  requisition ;  and 
the  science  of  Mr.  Jones  was  once  more  resgrted  to. 

"We  shall  not  recount  the  different  devices  of  the  architects  on 
the  occasion  ;  nor  would  it  be  decorous  so  to  do,  seeing  that  there 
was  a  convocation  of  the  society  of  the  Ancient  and  honourable 
fraternity  "of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,1'  at  the  head  of 
whom  was  Richard  in  the  capacity  ol  master,  doubtless  to 
approve  or  reject  such  of  the  plans  as  in  their  wisdom  they 
deemed  to  be  for  the  best.  The  knotty  point  was,  however,  soon 
decided  ;  and,  on  the  appointed  day,  the  brotherhood  marched  in 
great  state,  displaying  sundry  banners  and  mysterious  symbols. 
t-ach  man  with  a  little  mimic  apron  before  him,  from  a  most 
cunningly  contrived  apartment  in  the  garret  of  the  "Bold 
Dragoon,"  an  inri  kept  by  one  Captain  Hollister,  to  the  site  oi 
the  intended  edifice.  Here  Richard  laid  the  corner-stone  with 
euitable  gravity,  amidst  an  assemblage  of  more  than,  half  the  men 
and  all  the  women  within  ten  miles  of  Terapleton. 

In  the  course  of  the  succeeding  week  there  was  another  meeting 
of  the  people,  not  omitting  swarms  of  the  gentler  sex,  when  the 
abilities  of  Hiraux  at  the  "square  rule"  were  put  to  Ihe  test  of 
experiment.  The  frame  fitted  well,  and  the  skeleton  of  the 
(atric  was  reared  without  a  single  accident,  if  we  except  a  few 
falls  from  horses  while  the  labourers  were  returning  home  in  the 
evening.  From  this  time  the  work  advanced  with  great  rapidity, 
and  in  the  course  of  the  season  the  labour  was  completed  ;  the 
edifice  standing,  in  all  its  beauty  and  proportions,  the  boast  of 
the  village,  the  study  of  young  aspirants  for  architectural  fame, 
and  the  admiration  of  every  settler  on  the  Patent. 

It  was  a  long,  narrow  house,  of  wood,  painted  white,  and  more 
than  half  windows  ;  and  when  the  observer  stood  at  the  western 
side  of  the  building,  the  edifice  offered  but  a  small  obstacle,  to  a 
full  view  of  the  rising  sun.  It  was,  in  truth,  but  a  very  com- 
fortless open  place,  through  which  the  daylight  shone  with 
natural  facility.  On  its  front  were  divers  onwunents,  in  wood, 
designed  by  Richard,  and  executed  by  Hiram  ;  but  a  window  in 
^he  centre  of  tha  second  etore'y,  immediately  over  the  doos;  or 


70  THE  PIONEERS. 

grand  entrance,  and  the  "  steeple,"  were  the  pride  of  the  building. 
The  former  was,  we  believe,  of  .the  composite  order ;  for  it  in- 
cluded in  its  composition  a  multitude  of  ornaments, 'and  a  grea^ 
variety  of  proportions.  It  consisted  of  an  arched  compartment 
in  the  centre,  with  a  scjuare  and  small  division  on  either  side, 
the  whole  encased  in  heavy  frames,  deeply  and  laboriously 
moulded  in  pine- wood,  and  lighted  with  a  vast  number  of  blurred, 
and  green-looking  glass,  of  those  dimensions  which  are  commonly 
called  "  eight  by  ten."  Blinds,  that  were  intended  to  be  painted 
green,  kept  the  window  in  a  state  of  preservation  ;  and  probably 
might  have  contributed  to  the  effect  of  the  whole,  had  not  the 
failure  in  the  public  funds,  which  seems  always  to  be  incidental 
to  any  undertaking  of  this  kind,  left  them  in  the  sombre  coat  of 
lead  colour  with  which*  they  had  been  originally  clothed.  The 
"  steeple "  was  a  little  cupola,  reared  on  the  very  centre  of  the 
roof,  on  four  tall  pillars  of  pine,  that  were  fluted  with  a  gouge, 
and  loaded  with  mouldings.  On  the  tops  of  the  columns  waa 
reared  a  dome  or  cupola,  resembling  in  shape  an  inverted  tea- 
cup without  its  bottom,  from  the  centre  of  which  projected  a 
spire,  or  shaft  of  wood,  transfixed  with  two  iron  rods,  that  bore 
on  their  ends  the  letters  N.  S.  E.  and  W.,  in  the  same  metaL 
The  whole  was  surmounted  by  an  imitation  of  one .  of  the  finny 
tribe,  carved  in  wood  by  the  hands  of  Richard,  and  painted  what 
he  called  a  "  scale-colour."  This  animal  Mr.  Jones  affirmed  to 
be  an  admirable  resemblance  of  a  great  favourite  of  the 
epicures  in  that  country,  which  bore  the  title  of  "  lake-fish  ; " 
and  doubtless  the  assertion  was  true  j  for,  although  intended 
to  answer  the  purposes  of  a  weathercock,  the  fish  was  observed 
invariably  to  look,  with  a  longing  eye,  in  the  direction  of  the 
beautiful  sheet  of  water  that  lay  imbedded  in  the  mountains  of 
Templeton. 

For  a  short  time  after  the  charter  of  the  regents  was  received, 
the  trustees  of  this  institution  employed  a  graduate  of  one  of  the 
eastern  colleges  to  instruct  such  youth  as  aspired  to  knowledge, 
within  the  walls  of  the  edifice  which  we  have  described.  The 
upper  part  of  the  building  was  in  one  apartment,  and  was  in- 
tended for  gala-days  and  exhibitions ;  and  the  lower  contained 
two  rooms  that  were  intended  for  the  great  divisions  of  education, 
viz.  the  Latin  and  the  English  scholars.  The  former  were  never 
very  numerous  ;  though  the  sounds  of  "nominative,  peiinaa, — 
genitive,  penny"  were  soon  heard  to  issue  from  the  windows  ot 
the  room,  to  the  great  delight  and  manifest  edification  of  the 
passenger. 

Only  one  labourer  in  this  temple  of  Minerva,  however,  waa 
known  to  get  so  far  as  to  attempt  a  translation  of  VirglL  He,' 
indeed,  appeared  at  the  annual  exhibition,  to  the  prodigious 
exultation  of  all  his  relatives,  a  farmer's  family  in  the  vicinity, 


fHE  PIONEERS.  Tf 

and  repeated  the  whole  of  the  first  eclogue  from  memory,  observ- 
ing the  intonations  of  the  dialogue  with  much  judgment  and 
effect.  The  sounds,  as  they  proceeded  from  his  mouth,  of — 

'  Titty-ree  too  patty-lee  ree-coo-hans  sub  teg-nii-uee  faa-gy 
Syl-ves-trem  ten-oo-i  moo-sain  iiied-i-taa-ris  aa-ve-ny  " — 

were  the  last  that  had  been  heard  in  that  building,  as  probably 
they  were  the  first  that  had  ever  been  heard,  in  the  same  lan- 
guage, there  or  anywhere  else.  By  this  time  the  trustees  dis- 
covered that  they  had  anticipated  the  age,  and  the  instructor, 
or  principal,  was  superseded  by  a  master,  who  went  on  to  teach 
the  more  humble  lesson  of  "  the  more  haste  the  worse  speed,"  in 
good,  plain  English. 

From  this  time,  until  the  dale  of  our  incidents,  the  Academy 
was  a  common  country  school ;  and  the  great  room  of  the'build- 
ing  was  sometimes  used  as  a  court-room,  on  extraordinary  trials  ; 
sometimes  for  conferences  of  the  religious  and  the  morally  dis- 
posed in  the  evening ;  at  others  for  a  ball,  in  the  afternoon, 
given  under  the  auspices  of  Richard;  and  on  Sundays,  invariably, 
as  a  place  of  public  worship. 

When  an  itinerant  priest  of  the  persuasion  of  the  Methodists, 
Baptists,  Universalists,  or  of  the  more  numerous  sect  of  the 
Presbyterians  was  accidentally  in  the  neighbourhood,  he  was 
ordinarily  invited  to  officiate,  and  was  commonly  rewarded  fnr 
his  services  by  a  collection  in  a  hat,  before  the  congregation 
separated.  When  no  such  regular  minister  offered,  a  kind  of 
colloquial  prayer  or  two  was  made  by  some  of  the  more  *gifted 
members,  and  a  sermon  was  usually  read,  from  Sterne,  by  Mr. 
Richard  Jones. 

The  consequence  of  this  desultory  kind  of  priesthood  was,  as 
we  have  already  intimated,  a  great  diversity  in  opinion  on  the 
more  abstruse  points  of  faith.  Each  sect  had  its  adherents, 
though  neither  was  regularly  organized  and  disciplined.  Of  the 
religious  education  of  Marmaduke  we  have  already  written,  nor 
was  the  doubtful  character  of  his  faith  completely  removed  by 
his  marriage.  The  mother  of  Elizabeth  was  an  Episcopalian,  as, 
indeed,  was  the  mother  of  the  Judge  himself;  and  the  good  taste 
of  Marmaduke  revolted  at  the  familiar  colloquies  which  the 
leaders  of  the  conferences  held  with  the  Deity,  in  their  nightly 
meetings.  In  form,  he  was  certainly  an  Episcopalian,  though 
not  a  sectary  of  that  denomination.  On  the  other  hand,  Richard 
was  as  rigid  'in  the  observance  of  the  canons  of  his  church  as  he 
was  inflexible  in  his  opinions.  Indeed,  he  had  once  or  twice 
essayed  to  introduce  the  Episcopal  form  of  service,  on  the 
Sundays  that  the  pulpit  was  vacant  p  but  Richard  was  a  good 
deal  addicted  to  carrying  things  to  an  excess,  and  then  there  was 
something  so  papal  in  his_air  that  the  greater  part  of  his  hearers 


7S  Tlfti  PIONEERS. 

deserted  him  on  the  second  Sabbath — on  the  third,  his  oriiy 
auditor  was  Ben  Pump,  who  had  all  the  obstinate  and  enlightened 
orthodoxy  of  a  High  Cliurchman. 

Before  tho  war  of  the  Revolution,  the  English  Church  was 
supported  in  the  colonies,  with  much  interest,  by  some  of  its 
adherents  in  the  mother  country,  and  a  few  of  the  congregations 
were  very  amply  endowed.  But  for  a  season,  after  the  indepen- 
dence of  the  States  was  established,  this  sect  of  Christians 
languished  for  the  want  of  the  highest  order  of  its  priesthood. 
Pious  and  suitable  divines  were  at  length  selected,  and  sent  to 
the  mother  country,  to  receive  that  authority  which,  it  is  under- 
stood, can  only  be  transmitted  directly  from  one  to  the  other, 
and  thus  obtain,  in  order  to  preserve,  that  unity  in  their 
churches  which  properly  belonged  to  a  people  of  the  same 
nation.  But  unexpected  difficulties  presented  themselves  in  the 
oaths  with  which  the  policy  of  England  had  fettered'their  estab- 
lishment ;  and  much  time  was  spent  before  a  conscientious  sense 
of  duty  would  permit  the  prelates  of  Britain  to  delegate  the 
authority  so  earnestly  sought.  Time,  patience,  and  zeal,  how- 
ever, removed  every  impediment ;  and  the  venerable  men  who 
had  been  set  apart  by  the  American  churches  at  length  returned 
to  their  expecting  dioceses,  endowed  with  the  most  elevated 
functions  of  their  earthly  church.  Priests  and  deacons  were 
ordained  ;  and  missionaries  provided  to  keep  alive  the  expiring 
flame  of  devotion  in  such  members  as  were  deprived  of  tho 
ordinary  administrations,  by  dwelling  in  new  and  unorganized 
district''. 

Of  this  number  was  Mr.  Grant.  He  had  been  sent  into  the 
county  of  which  Tcmpleton  was  the  capital,  and  had  been  kindly 
invited  by  Marmaduke,  and  officiously  pressed  by  Richard,  to 
tike  up  his  abode  in  the  village.  A  small  and  humble  dwelling 
was  prepared  for  his  family,  and  the  divine  had  made  his  appear- 
ance in  the  place  but  a  few  days  previously  to  the  time  of  his 
introduction  to  the  reader.  As  his  forms  were  entirely  new  to  most 
of  the  inhabitants,  and  a  clergyman  of  another  denomination  had 
previously  occupied  the  field,  by  engaging  the  academy,  the  first 
Sunday  after  his  arrival  \yas  suffered  to  pass  in  silence  ;  but  now 
that  his  rival  had  passed  on,  like  a  meteor,  filling  tho  air  with 
the  light  of  his  wisdom,  Richard  was  empowered  to  give  notice, 
that  "  Public  worship,  after  the  forms  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  would  be  held,  on  the  night  be-fore  Christmas,  in  the 
long  room  of  the  academy  in  Templeton,  by  the  Rev.  II  r. 
Grant." 

This  annunciation  excited  great  commotion  among  the  different 
sectaries.  Some  wondered  as  to  the  nature  of  the  exhibition  ; 
others  sneered  ;  but  a  far  greater  part,  recollecting  the  crwyg  of 
Richard  in  that  way,  and  mimlful  of  the  liberality,  or  rather 


THE  PIONEERS.  79 

laxily  of  Marmadnkc-'s  notions  on  the  subject  of  sectarianism, 
thought  it  most  prudent  to  be  silent. 

The  expected  evening  was,  however,  the  wonder  of  the  hour ; 
nor  was  the  curiosity  at  all  diminished,  when  Richard  and 
Benjamin,  on  the  morning  of  the  eventful  day,  were  seen  to  issue 
from  the  woods  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  village,  each  bearing 
on  hia  shoulders  a  large  bunch  of  evergreens.  This  worthy  pair 
was  observed  to  enter  the  academy,  and  carefully  to  fasten  the 
door,  after  which  their  proceedings  remained  a  profound  secret 
to  the  rest  of  the  village  ;  Mr  JTIO«,  before  he  commenced  this 
mysterious  business,  having  informed  the  schoolmaster,  to  the 
great  delight  of  the  white-headed  flock  he  governed,  that  there 
could  be  no  school  that  day.  Marmadukc  was  apprised  of  all 
those  preparations  by  letter,  and  it  was  especially  arranged  that 
he  and  Elizabeth  should  arrive  in  season,  to  participate  in  the 
solemnities  of  the  evening. 

After  this  digression,  we  shall  return  to  our  narrative. 


CHAPTER  IX 

Now  all  admire,  in  each  high-flavoured  dish, 
The  capabilities  of  flesh— fowl— flsh  ; 
In  order  due  each  guest  assumes  bis  station, 
Throbs  high  his  breast  with  fond  anticipation, 
And  prelibates  the  joys  of  mastication. 

HELIOOABALIAD. 

THE  apartment  to  Vbich  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  Lauded  Elizabeth 
communicated  with  the  hall,  through  the  door  that  led  under 
the  um  which  was  supposed  to  contain  the  ashes  of  Dido.  The 
room  was  spacious,  and  of  very  just  proportions  ;  but  in  its 
ornaments  and  furniture,  the  same  diversity  of  taste  and  imper- 
fection of  execution  were  to  be  observed;  as  existed  in  the  hall. 
Of  furniture,  there  were  a  dozen  green,  wooden  arm-chairs,  with 
cushions  of  moreen,  taken  from  the  same  piece  as  the  petticoat 
of  Remarkable.  The  tables  were  spread,  and  their  materials  and 
workmanship  could  not  be  seen  ;  but  they  were  heavy,  and  of 
great  size.  An  enormous  mirror,  in  a  gilt  frame,  hung  against 
the  wall,  and  a  cheerful  fire,  of  the  hard  or  sugar- maple,  was 
burning  on  the  hearth.  The  latter  was  the  first  object  that 
struck  the  attention  of  the  Judge,  who,  on  beholding  it,  exclaimed 
rather  angrily  to  Richard, — 

"  How  often  have  I  forbidden  the  use  of  the  sugar-maple  in  my 
dwelling  1  The  sight  of  that  sap,  as  it  exudes  with  the  heat,  is 
painful  to  me,  Richard.  Really,  it  behoves  the  owner  of  woods 
so  extensive  as  mine  to  be  cautious  what  example  he  sets  his 
people,  who  are  already  felling  the  forests,  as  if  no  end  could  be 
found  to  their  treasures,  nor  any  limits  to  their  extent.  If  we 
go  on  in  this  way,  twenty  years  hence  we  shall  want  fuel." 

"Fuel  in  these  hills,  cousin  'duke!"  exclaimed  Richard,  in 
derision— "fuel  I  why,  you  might  as  well  predict  that  the  fish 
will  die  for  the  want  of  water  in  the  lake,  because  I  intend, 
when  the  frost  gets  out  of  the  ground,  to  lead  one  or  two  of  the 
springs,  through  logs,  into  the '  village.  But  you  are  always  a 
little  wild  on  such  subjects,  Marinaduke." 

"  Is  it  wildness,"  returned  the  Judge  earnestly,  "  to  condemn 
a  practice  which  devotes  these  jewels  of  the  forest,  these  precious 
gifts  of  nature,  these  mines  of  comfort  and  wealth,  to  the  com- 
mon uses  of  a  fire-place  ?  But  I  must,  and  will,  the  instant  the 

OP 


THE  PIONEERS.  81 

enow  is  off  the  earth,  send  out  a  party  into  the  mountains  to 
explore  for  coal." 

"  Coal ! "  echoed  Eichard  ;  "  who  the  devil  do  you  think  will 
dig  for  coal,  when  in  hunting  for  a  bushel,  he  would  have  to  rip 
up  more  roots  of  trees  than  would  keep  him  in  fuel  for  a  twelve- 
month ?  Poh  !  poh  !  Marmaduke,  you  eho'uld  leave  the  manage- 
ment of  these  things  to  me,  who  have  a  natural  turn  that  way. 
It  was  I  that  ordered  this  fire,  and  a  noble  one  it  is,  to  warm,  the 
blood  of  my  pretty  cousin  Bess." 

"  The  motive,  then,  must  be  your  apology,  Dickon,"  said  the 
Judge.  "  But,  gentlemen,  we  are  waiting.  Elizabeth,  my  child, 
take  the  head  of  the  table  ;  Richard,  I  see,  means  to  spare  me 
the  trouble  of  carving  by  sitting  opposite  to  you." 

"  To  be  sure  I  do,"  cried  Richard  ;  "  here  is  a  turkey  to  carve  ; 
and  I  flatter  myself  that  I  understand  carving  a  turkey,  or,  for 
that  matter,  a  goose,  as  well  as  any  man  alive.  Mr.  Grant ! 
where's  Mr.  Grant  ?  will  you  please  to  say  grace,  sir  ?  Every- 
thing is  getting  cold.  Take  a  thing  from  the  fire  this  cold 
weather,  and  it  will  freeze  in  five  minutes.  Mr.  Grant !  we 
want  you  to  say  grace.  '  For  what  we  are  about  to  receive,  the 
Lord  make  us  thankful.'  Come,  sit  down,  sit  down.  Do  you 
eat  wing  or  breast,  cousin  Bess." 

But  Elizabeth  had  not  taken  her  seat,  nor  was  she  in  readiness 
to  receive  either  the  wing  or  breast.  Her  laughing  eyes  were 
glancing  at  the  arrangements  of  the  table,  and  the  quality  and 
selection  of  the  food.  The  eyes  of  the  father  soon  met  the 
wondering  looks  of  his  daughter,  and  he  paid  with  a  smile, — 

"You  perceive;  my  child,  how  much  we  are  indebted  to 
Remarkable  for  her  skill  in  housewifery ;  she  has  indeed  .pro- 
vided a  noble  repast;  such  as  well  might  sto*  the  cravings  of 
hunger." 

"  Law  ! "  said  Remarkable,  u  I'm  glad  if  the  Judge  is  pleased  ; 
but  I'm  notional  that  you'll  find  the  sa'ce  overdone.  I  thought, 
as  Elizabeth  was  coming  home,  that  a  body  could  do  no  less 
than  make  things  agreeable." 

"  My  daughter  has  now  grown  to  woman's  estate,  and  is  from 
this  moment  mistress  of  my  house,"  said  the  Judge  ;  "  it  is  proper 
that  all  who  live  with  me  address  her  as  Miss  Temple." 

"  Do  tell ! "  exclaimed  Remarkable,  a  little  aghast  ;  <:  well, 
who  ever  heerd  of  a  young  woman's  being  called  Miss  ?  If  the 
Judge  had  a  wife  now,  I  shouldn't  think  of  calling  her  anything 
but  Miss  Temple  ;  but"— 

"  Having  nothing  but  a  daughter,  you  will  observe  that  style 
to  her,  if  you  please,  in  future,  interrupted  Marmaduke. 

As  the  Judge  looked  seriously  displeased,  and  at  such  momenta 
carried  a  particularly  commanding  air  with  him,  the  Wary 
housekeeper  made  no  reply  ;  and,  Mr.  Grant  entering  the  room, 


82  THE  PIONEERS. 

the  whole-party  were  soon  seated  at  the  table.  As  the  arrange- 
ments  of  this  recast  were  much  in  the  prevailing  taste  of  that 
period  and  country,  we  shall  endeavour  to  give  a  short  descrip- 
tion of  the  appearance  of  the  banquet. 

The  table-linen  was  of  the  most  beautiful  damask,  and  the 
plates  and  dishes  of  real  china,  an  article  of  great  luxury  at  this 
early  period  in  American  commerce.  The  knives  and  forks  were 
of  exquisitely  polished  steel,  and  were  set  in  unclouded  ivory. 
So  much,  being  furnished  by  the  wealth  of  Marmaduke,  was  not 
only  comfortable,  but  even  elegant  The  contents  of  the  several 
dishes,  and  their  positions,  however,  were  the  result  of  the  sole 
judgment  of  Remarkable.  Before  Elizabeth  was  placed  an 
enormous  roasted  turkey,  and  before  Richard  one  boiled.  In 
the  centre  of  the  table  stood  a  pair  of  heavy  silver  castors,  sur- 
rounded by  four  dishes  ;  one  a  fricassee,  that  consisted  ot  grey 
squirrels  ;  another  of  fish  fried  ;  a  third  of  fish  boiled  ;  the  last 
was  a  venison  steak.  Between  these  dishes  and  the  turkeys 
stood,  on  the  one  side,  a  prodigious  chine  of  roasted  bear's  meat, 
and  on  the  other  a  boiled  leg  of  delicious  mutton.  Interspersed 
among  this  load  of  meats  Avas  every  species  of  vegetables  that 
the  season  and  country  afforded.  The  four  corners  were  gar- 
nished with  plates  of  cake.  On  one  was  piled  certain  curiously 
twisted  and  complicated  figures  called  "  nut-cakes."  On  another 
were  heaps  of  a  black-looking  substance,  \*hich,  receiving  its 
hue  from  molasses,  was  properly  termed  "sweet -cake"  —  a 
wonderful  /avourite  in  the  coterie  of  Remarkable.  A  third  was 
filled,  to  use  the  language  of  the  housekeeper,  with  "  cards  of 
gingerbread  ; "  and  the  last  held  a  "  plum-cake,"  so  called  from 
the  number  of  large  raisins  that  were  showing  their  black  heads 
in  a  substance  of  a  suspiciously  similar  colour.  At  each  corner 
of  the  table  stood  saucers,  filled  with  a  thick  fluid,  of  somewhat 
equivocal  colour  and  consistence,  variegated  with  small  dark 
lumps  of  a  substance  that  resembled  nothing  but  itself,  which 
Remarkable  termed  "her  sweetmeats."  At  the  side  of  each 
plate,  which  was  placed  bottom  upwards,  with  its  knife  and  fork 
most  accurately  crossed  above  it,  stood  another,  of  smaller  size, 
containing  a  motley-looking  pie,  composed  of  triangular  slices  of 
apple,  mince,  pumpkin,  cranberry,  and  custard,  so  arranged  as  to 
form  an  entire  whole.  Decanters  of  brandy,  rum,  gin,  and  wine, 
with  sundry  pitchers  of  cider,  beer,  and  one  hissing  vessel  of 
"flip,"  were  put  wherever  an  opening  would  admit  of  their  intro- 
duction. Notwithstanding  the  size  of  the  tables,  there  was 
scarcely  a  spot  where  the  rich  damask  could  be  seen,  so  crowded 
were  the  dishes  with  their  associated  bottles,  plates,  and  saucer?. 
The  object  seemed  to  be  profusion,  and  it  Was  obtained  entirely 
nt  the  expense  of  order  and  elegance. 

All  the  guests,  as  well  as  the  Judge  himself,  seemed  perfectly 


THE  PIONEEltS.  33 

familiar  mth  this  description  of  fare,  for  each  one  commenced 
eating  with  an  appetite  that  promised  to  do  great  honour  to 
Remarltable's  taste  and  skill.  What  rendered  this  attention  to 
ths  repast  a  little  surprising  was  the  fact  that  both  the  German 
rmi  Richard  had  been  summoned  from  another  table  to  meet 
the  Judge  ;  but  Major  Hartmann  both  ate  and  drank  without 
.  iv  rule  when  on  his  excursions  ;  and  Mr.  Jones  invariably 
) pride  it  a  point  to  participate  in  the  business  in  hand,  let  it  be 
••hat  it  would.  The  host  seemed  to  think  some  apology  neces- 
for  the  warmth  he  had  betrayed  on  the  subject  of  the  fire- 
u*ood,  and  when  the  party  were  comfortably  seated,  and  engaged 
vith  their  knives  and  forks,  he  observed, — 

"  The  wastefulness  of  the  settlers,  with  the  noble  trees  of  this 
country,  is  shocking,  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  as  doubtless  you  have 
noticed.  I  have  seen  a  man  fell  a  pine,  when  he  has  been  in 
want  of  fencing  stuff,  and  roll  its  first  cuts  into  the  gap,  where 
lie  left  it  to  rot,  though  its  top  would  have  made  rails  enough  to 
answer  his  purpose,  and  its  but  would  have  sold  in  the  Phila- 
delphia market  for  twenty  dollars." 

"And  how  the  devil — I  beg  your  pardon,  Mr.  Grant,"  in- 
terrupted Richard  ;  "  but  how  is  the  poor  devil  to  get  his  logs  to 
the  Philadelphia  market,  pray  ?  put  them  in  his  pocket,  ha  1  as 

fou  would  a  handful  of  chestnuts,  or  a  bunch  of  chicker-berries  ? 
should  like  to .  see  you  walking  up  High  Street  witli  a  pine 
log  in  each  pocket  1  Poh  1  poh  !  cousin  duke,  there  are  trees 
enough  for  us  all,  and  some  to  spare.  Why,  I  can  hardly  tell 
which  way  the  wind  blows  when  I'm  out  in  the  clearings,  they 
are  so  thick,  and  so  tall ; — I  couldn't  at  all,  if  it  wasn't  for  the 
clouds,  and  I  happen  to  know  all  the  points  of  the  compass,  as 
it  were,  by  heart. 

"  Ay !  ay !  Squire,"  cried  Benjamin,  who  had  now  entered, 
and  taken  his  place  behind  the  Judge's  chair,  a  little  aside  withal, 
in  order  to  be  ready  for  any  observation  like  the  present ;  "look 
alcft,  sir,  look  aloft.  The  old  seamen  say,  '  that  the  devil 
v/ov.ld  vnake  a  sailor  unless  he  look'd  aloft.'  As  for  the  compass, 
why,  there  is  no  such  thing  as  steering  without  one.  I'm  sure 
I  never  lose  sight  of  the  main-top,  as  I  call  the  Squire's  look- 
out on  the  roof,  but  I  set  my  compass,  d'ye  see,  and  take  the 
bearings  and  distance  of  things  in  order  to  work  out  ray  course, 
if  so  be  that  it  should  cloud  up,  or  the  tops  of  the  trees  should 
shut  out  the  light  of  heaven.  The  steeple  of  St.  Paul's,  now 
that  we  have  got  it  on  end,  is  a  great  help  to  the  navigation  of 
the  woods,  for,  by  the  lord  Harry,  as  I  was  " — 

"  It  is  well.  Benjamin,"  interrupted  Marmaduke,  observing 
that  his  daughter  manifested  displeasure  at  the  major-domo's 
familiarity  ;  "but  you  forget  there  is  a  lady  in  company,  and  the 
women  love  to  do  most  of  the  talking  themselves." 


S4  .THE  PIONBJB&S. 

"  The  Judge  says  the  true  word,"  cried  Benjamin,  with  one 
of  his  discordant  laughs;  "now  here  is  Mistress  Remarkable 
Prettybones  ;  just  take  the  stopper  off  her  tongue,  and  you'll 
hear  a  gabbling  worse  like  than,  if  you  should  happen  to  fall  to 
leeward  in  crossing  a  French  privateer,  or  some  such  thing, 
mayhap,  as  a  dozen  monkeys  stowed  in  one  bag." 

It  were  impossible  to  say  how  perfect  an  illustration  of  the  truth 
of  Benjamin  3  assertion  the  housekeeper  would  have  furnished 
if  she  had  dared  ;  but  the  Judge  looked  sternly  at  her,  and, 
unwilling  to  incur  his  resentment,  yet  unable  to  contain  her 
anger,  she  threw  herself  out  of  the  room  with  a  toss  of  the  body 
that  nearly  separated  her  frail  form  in  the  centre. 

"  Richard,"  said  Marmaduke,  observing  that  his  displeasure 
had  produced  the  desired  effect,  "  ciin  you  inform  me  of  anything 
concerning  the  youth  whom  I  sc  unfortunately  wounded  ?  I 
found  him  on  the  mountain,  hunting  in  company  with  the 
Leather-stocking,  as  if  they  were  of  the  same  family  ;  but  there 
is  a  manifest  difference  in  their  manners.  The  youth  delivers 
himself  in  chosen  language,  such  as  is  seldom  heard  in  these 
hills,  and  such  as  occasions  great  surprise  to  me,  how  one  so 
meanly  clad,  and  following  so  lowly  a  pursuit,  could  attain. 
Mohegan  also  knew  him.  Doubtless  he  is  a  tenant  of  Natty's 
hut.  Did  you  remark  the  language  of  the  lad,  Monsieur  Le 
Quoi?" 

"  Ceriainement,  Monsieur  Tempi',"  returned  the  Frenchman, 
"  he  deed  conovairse  in  de  excellent  Anglaise." 

"  The  boy  is  no  miracle,"  exclaimed  Richard  ;  "  I've  known 
children  that  were  sent  to  school  early  talk  much  better  before 
they  were  twelve  years  old.  There  was  Zared  Coe,  old 
Nehemiah's  son,  who  first  settled  on  the  beaver-dam  meadow,  he 
could  write  almost  as  good  a  hand  as  myself  when  he  was  four- 
teen ;  though,  it's  true,  I  helped  to  teach  him  a  little  in  the 
evenings.  But  this  shooting  gentleman  ought  to  be  put  in  the 
stocks,  if  he  ever  takes  a  rein  in  his  hand  again.  He  is  the-  most 
awkward  fellow  about  a  horse  I  ever  met  with.  I  daresay  he 
never  drove  anything  but  oxen  in  his  life." 

"There  I  think,  Dickon,  you  do  the  lad  injustice,"  said  the 
Judge;  "he  uses  much  discretion  in  critical  moments.  Dost 
thou  not  think  so,  Bess  ? " 

There  was  nothing  in  this  question  particularly  to  excite 
blushes,  but  Elizabeth  started  from  the  reverie  into  which  she 
had  fallen,  and  coloured  to  her  forehead,  as  she  answered, — 

"To  me,  dear  sir,  he  appeared  extremely  skilful,  and  prompt, 
and  courageous  ;  but  perhaps  coxisin  Richard  will  say  I  am  as 
ignorant  as  the  gentleman  himself." 

"  Gentleman  ! "  echoed  Rkhard  ;  "  do  you  call  such  chaps 
gentlemen  at  scbonl,  Elizabeth?" 


THE  PIONEERS:  ss 

"Every  man  Is  a  gentleman  who  knows  Low  to- treat  a  woman 
with  respect  and  consideration,"  returned  the  young  lady 
promptly,  and  a  little  smartly. 

"So  much  for  hesitating  to  appear  before  the  heiress  in  his 
shirt  sleeves,"  cried  Richard,  winking  at  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  who 
returned  the  hint  with  one  eye,  whue  he  rolled  the  other  with 
fin  expression  of  sympathy  towards  the  young  lady.  "Well, 
vrell,  to  me  he  seemed  anything  but  a  gentleman.  I  must  say, 
towever,  for  the  lad,  that  he  draws  a  good  trigger,  and  has  a 
vue  aim.  He's  good  at  shooting  a  buck,  ha  !  Marmaduke  ?  " 

"  Richart,"  said  Major  Hartmann,  turning  his  grave  countenance 
towards  the  gentleman  he  addressed  wi4h  much  earnestness,  "ter 
poy  is  goot.  He  savet  your  life,  and  my  life,  and  ter  life  of 
Tominie  Grant,  and  ter  life  of  ter  Frenchman  ;  and,  Richart,  he 
ehall  never  vant  a  pet  to  sleep  in  vile  ole  Fritz  Hartmann  has  a 
shingle  to  cover  his  het  mit" 

"Well,  well,  as  you  please,  old  gentleman,"  returned  Mr. 
Jones,  endeavouring  to  look  indifferent ;  "  put  him  into  your 
own  stone  house,  if  you  will,  Major.  I  daresay  the  lad  never 
slept  in  anything  better  than  a  bark  shanty  in  his  life,  unless  it 
was  some  such  hut  as  the  cabin  of  Leather-stocking.  I  prophesy 
you  will  soon  spoil  him  ;  any  one  could  see  how  proud  he  grew 
in  a  short  time,  just  because  he  stood  by  my  horses'  heads,  while 
I  turned  them  into  the  highway." 

"  No,  no,  my  old  friend,"  cried  Marmaduke,  "  it  shall  be  my 
task  to  provide  in  some  manner  for  the  youth ;  I  owe  him  a 
debt  of  my  own,  besides  the  service  he  has  done  me  through  my 
friends.  And  yet  I  anticipate  some  little  trouble  in  inducing 
him  to  accept  of  my  services.  He  showed  a  marked  dislike,  I 
thought,  Bess,  to  my  offer  of  a  residence  within  these  walls  for 
life." 

"Really,  dear  sir,"  said  Elizabeth,  projecting  her  beautiful 
under-lip.  "  I  have  not  studied  the  gentleman  so  closely  as  to 
read  his  feelings  in  his  countanance.  I  thought  he  might  very 
naturally  feel  pain  from  his  wound,  and  therefore  pitied  him  ; 
but" — and  as  she  spoke  she  glanced  her  eye,  with  suppressed 
curiosity,  towards  the  major-domo — "  I  daresay,  sir,  that  Benjamin 
can  tell  you  something  about  him.  He  cannot  have  been  in  the 
village,  and  Benjamin  not  have  seen  him  often." 

"Ah!  I  have  seen  the  boy  before,"  said  Benjamin,  who 
wanted .  little  encouragement  to  speak:  "he  has  been  backing 
and  filling  in  the  wake  of  Natty  IJumppo,  through  the  moun- 
tains, after  deer,  like  a  Dutch  long-boat  in  tow  of  an  Albany 
sloop.  He  carries  a,  good  rifle  too.  The  Leather-stocking  said, 
in  my  hearing,  before  Betty  HollLster's  bar-room  fire,  no  later 
than  the  Tuesday  night,  that  the  yotiaker  was  certain  death 
to  the  wild  beasts.  _  If  BO  be  he  can  kill  the  wild  cat,  that 


86  'THE  PIONEERS. 

has  been  heard  moaning  on  the  lake  side  since  the  hard 
frosts  and  deep  snows  have  driven  the  deer  to  herd,  he  will 
be  doing  the  thing  that  is  good.  Your  wild  cat  is  a  bad  ship- 
mate, and  should  be  made  to  cruise  out  of  the  track  of  Christian 
men." 

"  Lives  he  in  the  hut  of  Bumppo  ? "  asked  Marmaduke  with 
some  interest. 

"  Cheek  by  jowl :  the  Wednesday  will  be  three  weeks  since  he 
first  hove  in  sight,  in  company  with  Leather-stocking.  They  had 
captured  a  wolf  between  them,  and  had  brought  in  his  scalp  for 
the  boun»/.  That  Mister  Bump-ho  has  a  handy  turn  with  iiim, 
in  taking  off  a  scalp  ;  and  there's  them,  in  this  here  village,  wbo 
say  he  larnt  the  trade  by  working  on  Christian  men.  If  so  be 
that  there  is  truth  in  the  saying,  and  I  commanded  along  shore 
here,  as  your  honour  does,  why,  d'ye  see,  I'd  bring  him  to  the 
gangway  for  it  yet.  There's  a  very  pretty  post  rigged  along- 
side of  the  stocks ;  and  for  the  matter  of  a  cat,  I  can  fit  one 
with  my  own  hands ;  ay !  and  use  it  too,  for  the  want  of  a 
better." 

"You  are  not  to  credit  the  idle  tales  you  hear  of  Natty:  he 
has  a  kind  of  natural  right  to  gain  a  livelihood  in  these  moun- 
tains ;  and  if  the  idlers  in  the  village  take  it  into  their  heads  to 
annoy  him,  as  they  sometimes  do  reputed  rogues,  they  shall  find 
him  protected  by  the  strong  arm  of  the  law." 

"  Ter  rifle  is  petter  as  ter  law,"  said  the  Major  sententiously. 

"That  for  ilia  rifle  1"  exclaimed  Richard,  snapping  his 
fingers :  "  Ben  is  right,  an  J.  I "  —  He  was  stopped  by  the 
sounds  'J"i  a  common  ship-bell,  that  had  been  elevated  to  the 
belfry  of  thq  academy,  which  now  announced,  by  its  incessant 
ringing,  that  the  hour  for  the  appointed  service  had  arrived. 
"'For  this  and  every  other  instance  of  His  goodness'  —  I  beg 
pardon ;  Mr.  Grant,  will  you  please  to  return  thanks,  sir  ?  it 
is  time  we  should  be  moving,  as  we  are  the-  only  Episcopalians 
in  the  neighbourhood  ;  that  is,  I,  and  Benjamin,  ana  Elizabeth  : 
for  I  count  half-breeds,  like  Marmaduke,  as  bad  as  heretics." 

The  divine  arose,  and  performed  the  office,  meekly  and  fervently, 
and  the  whole  party  instantly  prepared  themselves  for  the  chucch 
— or  rather  academy. 


CHAPTER  X. 

And,  calling  sinful  man  to  pray, 
Load,  long,  and  deep  the  bell  bad  toll'd. 

SCOTT'S  Burg^w. 

WHILE  Ricnard  and  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  attended  by  Benjamin-, 
proceeded  to  the  academy  by  a  footpath  through  the  snow, 
the  Judge,  his  daughter,  the  divine,  and  the  Major,  took  -a 
more  circuitous  route  to  the  same  place  by  the  streets  of  the 
village. 

The  moon  had  risen,  and  its  orb  was  shedding  a  flood  of  light 
over  the  dark  outline  of  pines  which  crowned  the  eastern  moun- 
tain. In  many  climates,  the  sky  would  have  been  thought  clear 
and  lucid  for  a  noontide.  The  stars  twinkled  in  the  neavens, 
like  the  last  glimmerings  of  distant  fire,  so  much  were  they 
bbscured  by  the  overwhelming  radiance  of  the  atmosphere ;  the 
'rays  from  the '  moon  striking  upon  the  smooth  white  surfaces  of 
,the  lake  and  fields,  reflecting  upwards  a  light  that  was  brightened 
by  the  spotless  colour  of  the  immense  bodies  of  snow  which  covered 
the  earth. 

Elizabeth  employed  herself  with  reading  the  signs,  one  of 
which  appeared  over  almost  every  door,  while  the  sleigh  moved 
steadily  and  at  an  easy  gait  along  the  principal  street.  Not 
only  new  occupations,  but  names  that  were  strangers  to  her 
ears,  met  her  gaze  at  every  step  they  proceeded.  The  very 
houses  seemed  changed.  This  had  been  altered  by  an  addition ; 
that  had  been  painted  ;  another  had  been  erected  on  the  sight  of 
an  old  acquaintance,  which  had  been  banished  from  the  earth 
almost  as  soon  as  it  made  its  appearance  on  it.  All  were,  how- 
ever, pouring  forth  their  inmates,  who  uniformly  held  their  way 
towards  the  point  where  the  expected  exhibition  of  the  conjoint 
taste  of  Richard  and  Benjamin  was  to  be  made. 

After  viewing  the  buildings,  which  really  appeared  to  some 
advantage  under  the  bright  but  mellow  light  ot  the  moon,  our 
heroine  turned  her  eyes  to  a  scrutiny  of  the  different  figures  that 
they  passed,  in,  search  of  any  form  that  she  knew.  But  all 
seemed  alike,  as,  muffled  in  cloaks,  hoods,  coats,  or  tippets,  they 
glided  along  the  narrow  passages  in  the  snow  which  led  under 

the  houses,  half  hid  by  the  bank  that  had  been  thrown  up  in 

er 


83  TttE  PIONEERB. 

excavating  the  deep  path  in  which  they  trod.  Once  or  twice  she 
thought  tnero  was  a  statwre  or  a  gait  that  she  recollected ;  but 
the  person  who  owned  it  instantly  disappeared  behind  one  of 
those  enormous  piles  of  wood  that  lay  before  most  of  the  doors. 
It  was  only  as  they  turned  from  the  main  street  into  another 
that  intersected  it  at  right  angles,  and  which  led  directly  to  the 
place  of  meeting,  that  she-recognised  a  face  and  building  that  she 
knew. 

The  house  stood  at  one  of  the  principal  corners  in  the  village  ; 
and,  by  its  well-trodden  doorway,  as  well  as  the  sign  that  was 
swinging  with  a  kind  of  doleful  sound  in  the  blasts  that  occa- 
sionally swept  down  the  lake,  was  clearly  one  of  the  most 
frequented  inns  in  the  place.  The  building  was  only  of  one 
storey ;  but  the  dormer  windows  in  the  roof,  the  paint,  the 
window-shutters,  and  the  cheerful  fire  that  shone  through  the 
open  door,  gave  it  an  air  of  comfort  that  was  not  possessed  by 
many  of  its  neighbours.  The  sign  was  suspended  from  a  common 
ale-house  post,  and  represented  the  figure  of  a  horseman,  armed 
with  sabre  and  pistols,  and  surmounted  by  a  bearskin  cap,  with 
a  fiery  animal  that  he  bestrode  "  rampant.  All  these  particulars 
were  easily  to  be  seen  by  the  aid  of  the  moon,  together  with  aJ 
row  of  somewhat  illegible  writing  in  black  paint,  but  in  which 
Elizabeth,  to  whom  the  whole  was  familiar,  read  with  facility 
"The  Bold  Dragoon." 

A  man.  and  a  woman  were  issuing  from  the  door  of  this 
habitation-  as  the  sleigh  was  passing.  The  former  moved  with  a 
stiff,  military  step,  that  was  a  good  deal  heightened  by  a  limp 
in  one  leg  ;  but  the  woman  advanced  with  a  measure  and  an  air 
that  seemed  not  particularly  regardful  of  what* she  might  encounter. 
The  light  of  the  moon  fell  directly  upon  her  full,  broad,  and  red 
visage,  exhibiting  her  masculine  countenance,  under  the  mockery 
of  a  ruffled  cap  that  was  intended  to  soften  the  lineaments  of 
features  that  were  by  no  means  squeamish.  A  small  bonnet  of 
black  silk,  and  of  a  slightly  formal  cut,  was  placed  on  the 
back  of  her  head,  but  so  as  not  to  shade  her  visage  in  the  least. 
Her  face,  as  it  encountered  the  rays  of  the  moon  from  the  east, 
seemed  not  unlike  a  sun  rising  in  the  west.  She  advanced, 
with  masculine  strides,  to  intercept  the  sleigh  ;  and  the  Judge, 
directing  the  namesake  of  the  Grecian  king,  who  held  the 
lines,  to  check  his  horses,  the  parties  were  soon  near  to  each 
other. 

"  Good  luck  to  ye,  and  a  wilcoine  home,  Jooge ! "  cried  the 
female,  with  a  strong  Irish  accent ;  "  and  I'm  sure  it's  to  me 
that  ye'r  always  wilconie.  Sure !  and  there's  Miss  'Lizzy,  and 
a  fine  young  woman  is  she  grown.  What  a  heart-ach  would 
she  be  giving  the  young  men  now,  if  there  was  sich  a  thing 
as  a  rigiinent  in  the  town!  Och  I  but  it's  idle  to  talk  of 


THE  PIONEERS.  tt> 

sich  vanities,  while  the  bell  is  calling  us  to  inateing,  jist  &) 
we  shpll  be  call'd  away  unexpictedly,  some  day,  when  we  alt* 
the  laist  calkilating.  Good  even,  Major :  will  I  make  iho 
bowl  of  gin  -  toddy  the  night  ?  or  it's  likely  yell  stay  at  the 
big  house  the  Christmas  eve,  and  the  very  night  of  ye'r  getting 
there?" 

"I  am  glad  to  see  you,  Mrs.  Hollister,"  returned  Elizabeth. 
"  I  have  been  trying  to  find  a  face  that  I  knew,  since  we  left 
the  door  of  the  mansion-house ;  but  none  have  I  seen,  except 
your  own.  Your  house,  too,  is  unaltered  ;  while  all  the  others 
are  so  changed,  that,  but  for  the  places  where  they  stand,  they 
would  be  utter  strangers.  I  observe  you  keep  also  the  dear 
sign  that  I  saw  cousin  Richard  paint ;  and  even  the  name  at 
the  bottom,  about  which,  you  may  remember,  you  had  the 
disagreement." 

"  is  it  the  bould  dragoon  ye  mane  ?  And  what  name  would  he 
have,  who  never  was  known,  by  any  other,  as-  my  husband  here, 
the  Captain,  can  testify.  He  was  a  pleasure  to  wait  upon,  and 
was  ever  the  foremost  in  need.  Och  !  but  he  had  a  sudden  end  ! 
But  it's  to  be  hoped  that  he  was  justified  by  tho  cause.  And 
it's  not  Parson  Grant  there  who'll  gainsay  that  same.  Yes, 
yes ;  the  Squire  would  paint,  and  so  I  thought  that  we  might 
nave  his  face  up  there,  who  had  so  often  shared  good  and  evil 
wid  us.  The  eyes  is  no  BO  large  nor  so  fiery  as  the  Captain's 
own ;  but  the  whiskers  and  the  cap  is  as  like  as  two  paes. 
Well,  well,  I'll  not  keep  ye  in  the  cowld,  talking;  but  will 
drop  in  the  morrow  after  earvice,  and  ask  ye  how  ye  do.  It's 
our  bounden  duty  to  make  the  most  of  this  present,  and  to  go 
to  the  house  which  is  open  to  all ;  so  God  bless  ye,  and  keep 
ye  from  evil !  .Will  I  make  the  gin  -  twist  the  night,  or  no, 
Major?" 

To  this  question  the  German  replied,  very  sententiously,  in  the 
affirmative;  and,  after  a  few  words  Lad  passed  between  the  husband 
of  this  fiery-faced  hostess  and  the  Judge,  the  sleigh  moved  on. 
It  soon  reached  the  door  of  the  academy,  where  the  party  alighted 
and  entered  the  building. 

In  the  meantime  Mr.  Jones  and  his  two  companions,  having  a 
much  shorter  distance  to  journey,  had  arrived  before  the  appointed 
place  several  minutes  sooner  than  the  party  in  the  sleigh.  Instead 
of  hastening  into  the  room,  in  order  to  enjoy  the  astonishment  of 
the  settlers,  Richard  placed  a  hand  in  either  pocket  of  his  surtout, 
and  affected  to  walk  about,  in  front  of  the  academy,  like  one  to 
whom  the  ceremonies  were  familiar. 

The  villagers  proceeded  uniformly  into  the  building,  with  a 
decorum  and  gravity  that  nothing  could  move  on  such  occasions; 
but  with  a  haste  that  was  probably  a  little  heightened  by  curio&ity. 
Those  who  came  in  from  the  adjacent  country,  spent  «ome  little 


...£)  THE 

time  in  placing  certain  bine  and  white  blankets  over  their  torses 
before  they  proceeded  to  indulge  their  desire  to  view  the  interior 
of  the  house.  Most  of  these  men  Richard  approached,  and 
inquired  after  the  health  and  condition  of  their  families.  The 
readiness  with  which  he  mentioned  the  names  of  even  the  children 
showed  how  very  familiarly  acquainted  he  was  with  their  circum- 
stances ;  and  the  nature  of  the  answers  he  received,  proved  that 
he  was  a  general  favourite. 

At  length  one  of  the  pedestrians  from  the  village  stopped  also, 
and  fixed  an  earnest  gaze  at  a  new  brick  edifice,  that  was  throw- 
ing a  long  shadow  across  the  fields  of  snow,  as  it  rose,  with  a 
beautiful  gradation  of  light  and  shade,  under  the  rays  of  a  full 
moon.  In  front  of  the  academy  was  a  vacant  piece  of  ground, 
that  was  intended  for  a  public  square.  On  the  side  opposite  to 
Mr.  Jones,  the  new  and  as  yet  unfinished  church  of  St.  Paul's 
was  erected.  This  edifice  had  been  reared  during  the  preceding 
summer,  by  the  aid  of  what  was  called  a  subscription  ;  though 
all,  or  nearly  all,  of  the  money  came  from  the  pocket  of  the 
landlord.  It  had  been  built  under  a  strong  conviction  of  the 
necessity  of  a  more  seemly  place  of  worship  than  "  the  long  room 
of  the  academy,"  and  under  an  implied  agreement,  that)  after 
its  completion,  the  question  should  be  fairly  put  to  the  people, 
that  they  might  decide  to  what  denomination  it  should  belong. 
Of  course  this  expectation  kept  alive  a  strong  excitement  in 
some  few  of  the  sectaries  who  were  interested  in  its  decision  ; 
though  but  little  was  said  openly  on  the  subject.  Had  Judge 
Temple  espoused  the  cause  of  any  particular  sect,  the  question 
would  have  been  immediately  put  at  rest,  for  his  influence  was 
too  powerful  to  be  opposed  ;  but  he  declined  interference  in  the 
matter,  positively  refusing  to  lend  even  the  weight  of  his  name 
on  the  side  of  Richard,  who  had  secretly  given  an  assurance  to 
his  Diocesan  that  both  the  building  and  the  congregation  would 
cheerfully  come  within  the  pale  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church.  But  when  the  neutrality  of  the  Judge  was  clearly 
ascertained,  Mr..  Jones  discovered  that  he  had  to  contend  with  a 
stiff-necked  people.  His  first  measure  was  to  go  among  them, 
and  commence  a  course  of  reasoning,  in  order  to  bring  them 
round  to  his  own  way  of  thinking.  They  all  heard  him  patiently, 
and  not  a  man  uttered  a  word  in  reply,  in  the  way  of  argument : 
and  Richard  thought,  by  the  time  that  he  had  gone  through  tho 
settlement,  the  point  was  conclusively  decided  in  his  favour. 
Willing  to  strike  while  the  iron  was  hot,  he  called  a  meeting, 
through  the  newspaper,  with  a  view  to  decide  the  question  by  a 
vote,  at  once.  Not  a  soul  attended  :  and  one  of  the  most  anxious 
afternoons  ttiat  ne  naa  ever  known  v/as  spent  by  Richard  in  a 
\  ain  discussion  with  Mrs.  Hollister,  who  strongly  contended  that 
the  Methodist  (her  own)  church  was  the  best  entitled  to,  and 


THE  PIONEERS  91 

most  deserving  of,  the  possession  of  the  new  tabernacle.  Richard 
now  perceived  that  he  had  been  too  sanguine,  and  had  fallen 
into  the  error  of  all  those  who  ignorantly  deal  with,  that  wary 
!ar.d  sagacious  people.  '  He  assumed  a  disguise  himself,  that  is,  as 
well  as  he  knew  how,  and  proceeded  step  by  step  to  advance 'his 
purpose. 

The  task  of  erecting  the  building  had  been  unanimously 
transferred  to  Mr.  Jones  and  Hiram  Doolittle.  Together  they 
had  built  the  mansion-house,  the  academy,  and  the  gaol ;  and 
they  alone  knew  how  to  plan  and  rear  such  a  structure  as  waa 
now  required.  Early  in  tho  day,  these  architects  had  made  an 
equitable  division  of  their  duties.  To  the  former  was  assigned 
the  duty  of  making  all  the  plans,  and  to  the  latter,  the  labour  of 
superintending  the  execution. 

Availing  himself  of  this  advantage,  Richard  silently  deter- 
mined that  the  windows  should  have  the  Roman  arch. ;  the  first 
positive  step  in  effecting  his  wishes.  As  the  building  was  made 
of  bricks,  he  was  enabled  to  conceal  his  design,  until  the  moment 
arrived  for  placing  the  frames :  then,  indeed,  it  became  neces- 
sary to  act.  He  communicated  his  wishes  to  Hiram  with,  great 
caution ;  and,  without  in  the  least  adverting  to  the  spiritual  part 
of  his  project,  he  pressed  the  point  a  little  warmly,  on  the  score 
of  architectural  beauty.  Hiram  heard  him  patiently,  and  without 
contradiction ;  but  still  Richard  was  unable  to  discover  the  views 
of  his  coadjutor  on  this  interesting  subject.  As  the  right  to  plan 
was  duly  delegated  to  Mr.  Jones,  no  direct  objection  was  made 
in  words,  but  numberless  unexpected  difficulties  arose  in  the 
execution.  At  first,  there  was  a  scarcity  in  the  nght  kind 
of  material  necessary  to  form  the  frames ;  but  this  objection 
was  instantly  silenced,  by  Richard  running  his  pencil  through 
two  feet  of  their  length  at  one  stroke.  Then  the  expense 
was  mentioned ;  but  Richard  reminded  Hiram  that  his  cousin 
paid,  and  that  he  was  his  treasurer.  This  last  intimation  had 
great  weight,  and  after  a  silent  and  protracted,  but  fruitless 
opposition,  the  work  was  suffered  to  proceed  on  the  original 
plan. 

The  next  difficulty  occurred  in  the  steeple,  which  Richard  had 
modelled  after  one  of  the  smaller  of  those  spires  that  adorn  the 
great  London  Cathedral  The  imitation  was  somewhat  lame,  it 
is  true,  the  proportions  being  but  indifferently  observed  ;  but, 
after  much  difficulty,  Mr.  Jones  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  an 
object  reared  that  bore,  in  its  outlines,  a  striking  resemblance  to 
a  vinegar-cruet.  There  was  less  opposition  to  this  model  than  to 
the  windows ;  for  the  settlers  were  fond  of  novelty,  and  their 
steeple  was  without  a  precedent. 

Here  the  labour  ceased  for  the  season,  and  the  difficult  question 
of  the  interior  remained  for  further  deliberation.  Richard  well 


02  THE  PIONEERS. 

knew,  that  when  he  came  to  propose  a  reading  desk  and  *• 
chancel,  he  must  unmask  ;  for  these  were  arrangements  known  to 
no  church  in  the  country  but  his  own.  Presuming,  however,  on 
the  advantages  he  had  already  obtained,  he  boldly  styled  the 
building  St.  Paul's,  and  Hiram  prudently  acquiesced  in  this 
appellation,  making,  however,  the  slight  addition  of  calling  it 
'•'•"New  St.  Paul's,"  feeling  less  aversion  to  a  name  taken  from  the 
English  Cathedral  than  from  the  saint. 

The  pedestrian  whom  we  have  already  mentioned,  as  pausing 
to  contemplate  this  edifice,  was  no  other  than  the  gentleman  sa 
frequently  named  as  Mr.,  or  Squire,  Doolittle.  He  was  of  a  tall, 
gaunt  formation,  with  sharp  features,  and  a  face  that  expressed 
formal  propriety  mingled  with  low  cunning.  Richard  approached 
him,  followed  by  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  and  the  major-domo. 

"  Good  evening,  Squire,"  said  Richard,  bobbing  his  head,  tut. 
without  moving  his  hands  from  his  pockets. 

"  Good  evening,  Squire,"  echoed  Hiram,  turning  his  body  in 
order  to  turn  his  head  also. 

"A  cold  night,  Mr.  Doolittle,  a  cold  night,  sir." 

"  Coolish  ;  a  tedious  spell  on't." 

"  What,  looking  at  our  church,  ha !  it  looks  well,  by  mccrv- 
light ;  how  the  tin  of  the  cupola  glistens  1  I  warrant  you  t ho 
dome  of  the  other  St.  Paul's  never  shines  EO  in  the  smoko  of 
London." 

"It  is  a  pretty  meeting-house  to  look  on,"  returned  Hiram, 
"  and  I  believe  that  Monshure  Ler  Quow  and  Mr.  Penguilliam 
will  allow  it." 

"  Sairtainlee  1 "  exclaimed  the  complaisant  Frenchman,  "  it  ees 
ver  fine." 

"  I  thought  the  Monshuro  would  say  so.  The  last  molasses 
that  we  had  was  excellent  good.  It  isn't  likely  that  you  have 
any  more  of  it  on  hand  ? " 

"  Ah  I   oui ;  ees,  sair,"  returned   Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  with  r. 
slight  shrug  of  his  shoulder,  and  a  trifling  grimace,  "  dere  is  ir.cr : 
I  feel  ver  happi  dat  you  love  eet.     I  hope  dat  Madame  Dole-::'  : 
in  good  'ealth. 

"Why,  so  as  to  be  stirring,"  said  Hiram. — "The  Sqr.ir: 
hasn't  finished  the  plans  for  the  inside  of  the  meeting-house 
yet?" 

"  No — no — no,"  returned  Richard,  speaking  quickly,  but  making 
a  significant  pause  between  each  negative — "  it  requires  reflection. 
There  is  a  great  deal  of  room  to  fill  up,  and  I  am  afraid  we  shall 
not  know  how  to  dispose  of  it  to  advantage.  There  will  be  a 
large  vacant  spot  around  the  pulpit,  which  I  do  not  mean  to 
place  against  the  wall,  like  a  sentry-box  stuck  up  on  the  side  of  a 
fort." 

"  It  is  ruleable  to  put  the  deacon's  box  under  the  pulpit,"  said 


THE  PIONEERS.  ^ 

Hiram  ;  and  then,  as  if  he  had  ventured  too  much,  he  added, 
"but  there's  different  fasUons  in  different  countries."  ' 

"  That  there  is,"  cried  Benjamin  ;  "  now',  in  running  down  the 
coast  of  Snain  and  Portingall,  you  may  see  a  nunnery  stuck  out 
on  every  headland,  with  more  steeples  and  outriggers,  such  as 
dog-vanes  and  weather-cocks,  than  you'll  find  aboard  of  a  three- 
masted  schooner.  If  so  be  that  a  well-built  church  is  wanting 
Old  England,  after  all,  is  the  country  to  go  to  after  your  niodeL- 
and  fashion  pieces.  As  to  Paul's,  thof  I've  never  seen  it,  being 
that  it's  a  long  way  up  town  from  Radcliffc  Highway  and  the 
docks,  yet  everybody  knows  that  it's  the  grandest  place  in  the 
world.  Now,  I've  no  opinion  but  this  here  church  over  there  is 
as  like  one  end  of  it,  as  a  grampus  is  to  a  whale  ;  and  that's  only 
a  small  difference  in  bulk.  Mounsheer  Ler  Quaw,  here,  has  been 
in  foreign  parts  ;  and  thof  that  is  not  the  same  as  having  been  at 
home,  yet  he  must  have  seen  churches  in  Prance  too,  and  can 
form  a  small  idee  of  what  a  church  should  be  :  now,  I  ask  the 
Mounsheer  to  his  face,  if  it  is  not  a  clever  little  thing,  taking  it 
by  and  large  ? n 

"It  ees  ver  apropos  of  saircuinstance,"  said  the  Frenchman — 
"ver  jugement — but  it  is  in  de  catholique  country  dat  dey  build 
de — vat  you  call — ah  a  ah-ha — la  grande  cathddrale— -<le  big 
church.  St.  Paul,  Londre,  is  ver  fine  ;  ver  belle  ;  ver  grand — 
vat  you  call  beeg ;  but,  Monsieur  Ben,  pardonnez  ruoi,  it  is  no 
vort  so  much  as  Notre  Dame." 

"  Ha  !  Mounsheer,  what  is  that  you  say  ? "  cried  Benjamin — 
"  St.  Paul's  Church  not  worth  so  much  as  a  damn  !  Mayhap  you 
may  be  thinking  too  that  the  Royal  Billy  isn't  so  good  a  ship  as 
the  Billy  de  Paris  ;  but  she  would  have  lick'd  two  of  her,  any 
day,  and  in  all  weathers." 

As  Benjamin  had  assumed  a  very  threatening  kind  of  attitude, 
flourishing  an  arm,  with  a  bunch  at  the  end  of  it  that  was  half 
r.3  big  as  Monsieur  Le  Quoi's  head.  Richard  thought  it  time  to 
interpose  his  authority. 

"  Hush,  Benjamin,  husn,"  he  said  ;  "  you  both  misunderstand 
Monsieur  Le  Quoi  and  forget  yourself. — But  here  comes  Mr. 
Grant,  and  the  service  will  commence.  Let  us  go  in." 

The  Frenchman,  who  received  Benjamin's  reply  with  a  well- 
bred  good  humour,  that  would  not  admit  of  any  feeling  but  pity 
for  the  other's  ignorance,  bowed  in  acquiescence,  and  foUowea  hia 
companion. 

Hiram  and  the  major-domo  brought  up  the  rear,  the  latter 
grumbling,  as  he  entered  the  building, — 

"  If  so  be  that  the  King  of  France  had  so  much  as  a  house  to 
live  in,  that  would  lay  alongside  of  Paul's,  one  might  put  up  with 
their  jaw.  It's  more  than  flesh  and  blood  c^n  bear  to  bear  a 
Frenchman  run  down  an  English  church  in  this  manner.  Vi'L;-, 


PIONEERS. 

Squire  Doolittle,  I've  been  at  the  whipping  of  two  of  them  in  ona 
day — clean  built,  snug  frigates,  with  standing-royals,  and  them 
ne-vv-fashioned  cannonades  on  their  quarters — such  as,  if  they 
had  only  Englishmen  aboard  of  them,  would  have  font  the 
devil.r 

With  this  ominous  word  in  his  mouth*  Benjamin  entered  the 
church. 


CHAPTER   XI. 

Aad  fools,  who  came  to  scoff,  remaln'd  to  pray.— GOLDSMITH. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  the  united  labours  of  Richard  and  Benjamin, 
the  "loug-room"  was  but  an  extremely  inartificial  temple. 
Benches,  made  in  the  coarsest  manner,  and  entirely  with  a  view 
to  usefulness,  were  arranged  in  rows,  for  the  reception  of  the 
congregation  ;  while  a  rough,  unpainted  box,  was -placed  against 
the  wail,  in  the  centre  of  the  length  of  the  apartment,  as  an 
apology  for  a  pulpit.  Something  like  a  reading-desk  was  in, 
front  of  this  rostrum,  and  a  small  mahogany  table,  from  the: 
mansion-house,  covered  with  a  /spotless  damask  cloth,  stood  a! 
little  on  one  side,-  by  the  way  of  an  altar.  Branches  of  pines  and! 
hemlocks  were  stuck  in  each  of  the  fissures  that  offered  ia 
the  unseasoned  and  hastily -completed  woodwork  of  both  the' 
building  and  its  furniture  ;  while  festoons  and  hieroglyphics  met 
the  eye  in  vast  profusion  along  the  brown  sides  of  the  scratch- 
coated  walls.  As  the  room  was  only  lighted  by  some  ten  or 
fifteen  miserable  candles,  and  the  windows  were  without  shutters,, 
it  would  have  been  but  a  dreary,  cheerless  place  for  the  solemnities 
of  a  Christmas  eve,  had  not  the  large  fire,  that  was  crackling  ati 
each  end  of  the  apartment,  given  an  air  of  cheerfulness  to  the 
«cene,  by  throwing  an  occasional  glare  of  light  through  the  vistas' 
of  bushes  and  faces. 

The  two  sexes  were  separated  by  an  area  in  the  centre  of  the 
room  immediately  Before  the  pulpit,  and  a  few  benches  lined  this 
fcnace,  tbat  were  occupied  by  trie  principal  personages  of  the 
village  and  its  vicinity.  This  distinction  was  rather  a  gratuitous 
concession,  made  by  the  -poorer  and  less  polished  part  of  the 
population,  than  a  right  claimed  by  the  favoured  few.  One 
bench  was  occupied  by  the  party  of  Judge  -Temple,  including 
his  daughter;  and,  with  the  exception  of  J)r.  Todd,  no  one 
else  appeared  willing  to  incur  the  imputation  of  pride,  by 
taking  a  seat  in  what  was,  literally,  the  high  place  of  the 
tabernacle. 

Richard  filled  the  chair,  that  was  placed  behind  another  table, 
in  the  capacity  of  clerk  j  while  Benjamin,  after  heaping  sundry 

95 


36  THE  PIOWEERS. 

logs  on  tin  fires,  posted  himself  nigh  by  in  reserve  for  any 
movement  that  might  require  co-operation. 

It  would  greatly  exceed  our  limits  to  attempt  a  description 
of  the  congregation  ;  for  the  dresses  were  as  various  as  the 
individuals.  Some  one  article,  of  more  than  usual  finery,  and 
perhaps  the  relic  of  other  days,  was  to  be  Seen  about  most  of  the 
females,  in  connection  with  the  coarse  attire  of  the  woods.  This 
wore  a  faded  silk,  that  had  gone  through  at  least  three  genera- 
tions, over  coarse,  woollen  black  stockings  ;  that,  a  shawl,  who.? 
dyes  were  as  numerous  as  those  of  the  rainbow,  over  an  awkwardly 
fitting  gown,  of  rough  brown  "  woman's  wear."  In  short,  each 
one  exhibited  some  favourite  article,  and  all  appeared  in  their 
best,  both  men  and  women  ;  while  the  groundworks  in  dress,  in 
either  sex,  were  the  coarse  fabrics  manufactured  within  their 
own  dwellings.  One  man  appeared  in  &8  dress  of  a  volunteer 
company  of  artillery,  of  which  he  had  been  a  member  in  the 
"  down- countries,"  precisely  for  no  other  reason  than  because  it 
was  the  best  suit  he  had.  Several,  particularly  of  the  younger 
men,  displayed  pantaloons  of  blue,  edged  with  red  cloth  down  the 
ssams,  part  of  the  equipments  of  the  "  Templeton  Light  Infantry," 
from  a  little  vanity  to  be  seen  in  "  bough  ten  clothes. '  There  was 
also  one  man  in  a  "rifle  frock,"  with  its  fringes  and  folds  of 
spotless  *hite,  striking  a  chill  to  the  heart  with  the  idea  of  its 
coolness ;  although  the  thick  coat  of  brown  "  home  made," 
that  wa4  concealed  beneath,  preserved  a  proper  degree  of 
warmth. 

There  was  a  marked  uniformity  of  expression  in  countenance, 
especially  in  that  half  of  the  congregation  who  did  not  enjoy  the 
advantages  of  the  polish  of  the  village.  A  tallow  skin,  that 
indicated  nothing  but  exposure,  was  common  to  all,  as  was  an  air 
of  great  decency  and  attention,  mingled,  generally,  with  an 
expression  of  shrewdness  and,  in  the  present  instance,  of  active 
curiosity.  Now  and  then  a  face  and  dress  were  to  be  seen  among 
the  congregation  that  differed  entirely  from  this  description.  If 
pockmarked  and  florid,  with  gaitered  legs,  and  a  coat  that  snugly 
ntted  the  person  of  the  wearer,  it  was  surely  an  English  emigrant, 
who  had  bent  his  steps  to  this  retired  quarter  of  the  globe.  If 
hard-featured,  and  without  colour,  with  nigh  cheek-bones,  it  was 
a  native  of  Scotland  in  similar  circumstances.  The  short,  black- 
e}red  man,  with  a  cast  of  the  swarthy  Spaniard  in  his  face,  who 
rose  repeatedly,  to  make  room  for  the  belles  of  the  village  as  they 
entered,  was  a  son  of  Erin,  who  had  lately  left  off  his  pack  and 
become  a  etationary  trader  in  Templeton.  In  short,  naif  the 
nations  in  the  north  of  Er.rops  had  their  representatives  in  this 
assembly,  though  all  had  closely  assimilated  themselves  to  the 
Americans  in  dress  and  appearance,  except  the  Englishman  He, 
indeed,  not  only  adhered  to  his  native  customs  in  attire  and 


THE  PIONEERS.  & 

living,  but  usually  drove  his- plough,  among  the  stumps,  in  the 
same  manner  as  he  had  before  done  on  the  plains  of  Norfolk, 
until  dear-bought  experience'taught  him  the  useful  lesson,  that  a 
f-agacious  people  knew  what  was  suited  to  their  circumstances 
better  than  a  casual  observer  ;  or  a  sojourn er,  who  was,  perhaps, 
too  much  prejudiced  to  cpmpare,  and,  peradventure,  too  conceited 
to  learn. 

Elizabeth  soon  discovered  that  she  divided  the  attention  of  the 
congregation  with  Mr.  Grant.  Timidity,  therefore,  confined  her 
observation  of  the  appearances  which  we  have  described  to  stolen 
glances ;  but,  as  the  stamping  of  feet  was  now  becoming  less 
frequent,  and  even  the  coughing  and  other  little  preliminaries 
of  a  congregation  settling  themselves  down  into  reverential 
atteation  were  ceasing,  she  felt  emboldened  to  look  around  her. 
Gradually  all  noises  diminished,  until  the  suppressed  cough 
denoted  that  it  was  necessary  to  avoid  singularity,  and  the  most 
profound  stillness  pervaded  the  apartment.  The  snapping  of 
the  fires,  as  they  threw  a  powerful  heat  into  the  room,  was 
alone  heard,  and  each  face  and  every  eye  were  turned  on  tlie 
divine. 

At  this  moment  a  heavy  stamping  of  feet  was  heard  in  the 
passage  below,  as  if  a  newcomer  was  releasing  his  limbs  from  the 
snow  that  was  necessarily  clinging  to  the  legs  of  a  pedestrian. 
Jt  was  succeeded  by  no  audible  tread ;  but  directly  Mohcgan, 
followed  by  the  Leather-stocking  and  the  young  hunter,  made  his 
appearance.  Their  footsteps  would  not  have  been  heard,  as  they 
trod  the  apartment  in  their  mocassins,  but  for  the  silence  which 
prevailed. 

The  Indian  moved  with  great  gravity  across  the  floor,  and 
observing  a  vacant  seat  next  to  the  Judge,  he  took  it  in  a  manner 
that  manifested  his  sense  of  hia  own  dignity.  Here,  drawing  hia 
blanket  closely  around  him,  so  as  partly  to  conceal  his  counten- 
ance, he  remained  during  the  service  immoveable  but  deeply 
attentive.  Natty  passed  the  place,  that  was  so  freely  taken  by 
his  red  companion,  and  seated  himself  on  one  end  cf  a  log  that 
was  lying  near  the  fire,  where  he  continued,  with  his  rifle  stand 
ing  between  his  legs,  absorbed  in  reflections,  seemingly,  of  nc 
very  pleasing  nature.  The  youth  found  a  seat  among  the  con- 
gregation, and  another  silence  prevailed. 

Mr.  Grant  now  arose,  and  commenced  his  service,  with  the 
piblime  declaration  of  the  Hebrew  prophet — "  The  Lord  is  in  His 
Hly  temple;  let  all  the  earth  keep  silence  before  Him."  The 
example  of  Mr.  Jones  was  unnecessary  to  teach  the  congregation 
to  rise  :  the  solemnity  of  the  divine  effected  this  as  by  naagi^, 
After  a  short  pause,  Mr.  Grant  proceeded  with  the  solemn  and 
winning  exhortation  of  hia  service.  Nothing  was  heard  but  the 
deep  though  affectionate  tones  of  the  reader,  as  he  slowly  went 


98  THE  PIONEERS. 

through  this  exordium  ;  until  something  unfortunately  striking 
the  mind  of  Eichard  as  incomplete,  he  left  his  place,  and  walked 
oa  tip-toe  from  the  room. 

When  the  clergyman  bent  his  knees  in  prayer  and  confession, 
the  congregation  so  far  imitated  his  example  as  to  resume  their 
seats ;  whence  no  succeeding  effort  of  the  divine,  during  the 
evening,  was  able  to  remove  them  in  a  body.  Some  rose  at 
times ;  but  by  far  the  larger  part  continued  unbending ;  obser- 
vant, it  is  true,  but  it  was  the  kind  of  observation  that 
regarded  the  ceremony  as  a  spectacle  rather  than  a  worship 
in  which  they  were  to  participate.  Thus  deserted  by  his 
clerk,  Mr.  Grant  continued  to  read ;  but  no  response  was 
audible.  The  short  and  solemn  pause  that  succeeded  each 
petition  was  made  ;  still  no  voice  repeated  the  eloquent  language 
of  the  prayer. 

The  lips  of  Elizabeth  moved,  but  they  moved  in  vain ;  and, 
accustomed  as  she  was  to  the  service  in  the  churches  of  the 
metropolis,  she  was  beginning  to  feel  the  awkwardness  of  the 
circumstance  most  painfully,  when  a  soft,  low  female  voice  repeated 
after  the  priest,  "We  have  left  undone  those  things  which  we 
ought  to  have  done."  Startled  at  finding  one  of  her  own  sex  in 
that  place  who  could  rise  superior  to  natural  timidity,  Miss 
Temple  turned  her  eyes  in  the  direction  of  the  penitent.  She 
observed  a  young  female,  on  her  knees,  but  a  short  distance  from 
her,  with  her  meek  face  humbly  bent  over  her  book.  The 
appearance  of  this  stranger,  for  such  she  was  entirely  to  Elizabeth, 
was  light  and  fragile.  Her  dress  was  neat  and  becoming ;  and 
her  countenance,  though  pale  and  slightly  agitated,  excited  deep 
interest  by  its  sweet  and  melancholy  expression.  A  second  ana 
third  response  were  made  by  this  juvenile  assistant,  when  the 
manly  sounds  of  a  male  voice  proceeded  from  the  opposite  part  of 
the  room.  Miss  Temple  knew  the  tones  of  the  young  hunter 
instantly,  and,  struggling  to  overcome  her  own  diffidence,  she 
added  her  low  voice  to  the  number. 

All  this  time,  Benjamin  stood  thumbing  the  leaves  of  a  prayer- 
book  with  great  industry ;  but  some  unexpected  difficulties  pre- 
vented his  finding  the  place.  Before  the  divine  reached  the  close 
of  the  confession,  however,  Richard  reappeared  at  the  door,  and, 
as  he  moved  lightly  across  the  room,  he  took  up  the  response,  in 
a  voice  that  betrayed  no  other  concern  than  that  of  not  being 
heard.  In  his  hand  he  carried  a  small  •  open  box,  with  the 
figures  of  "  8  by  10  "  written  in  black  paint  on  one  of  its  sides  ; 
which  having  placed  in  the  pulpit,  apparently  as  a  footstool 
for  th«  divine;  he  returned  to  hia  station  in  time  to  say, 
8onorou»ly,  "Amen."  The  eyes  of  the  congregation,  very  natur- 
ally, were  turned  to  the  windows,  as  M*  Jones  eaiared  with 
tlua  eingulnr  load,  and  than,  as  if  aocusun&eo,  to  w»  -  general 


THE  PIONEERS.  90    / 

agency,"  were  again  bent  on  the  priest,  in  cloM  and  curious 
attention. 

The  long  experience  of  Mr.  Grant  admirably  qualified  him  to 
perform  his  present  duty.  He  well  understood  the  character  of 
his  listeners,  who  were  mostly  a  primitive  people  in  their  habits ; 
and  who,  being  a  good  deal  addicted  to  subtleties  and  nice  dis- 
tinctions in  their  religious  opinions,  viewed  the  introduction  of 
any  such  temporal  assistance  as  form  into  their  spiritual  worship 
not  only  with  jealousy,  but  frequently  with  disgust.  He  had 
acquired  much  of  his  knowledge  i'rom  studying  the  great  book  of 
human  nature,  as  it  lay  open  in  the  world ;  and,  knowing  how 
dangerous  it  was  to  contend  with  ignorance,  uniformly  en- 
deavoured to  avoid  dictating  where  his  better  reason  taught  him 
it  was  the  most  prudent  to  attempt  to  lead.  His  orthodoxy  had 
no  dependence  on  his  cassock  ;  he  could  pray,  with  fervour  and 
with  faith,  if  circumstances  required  it,  without  the  assistance  of 
his  clerk  j  and  he  had  even  been  known  to  preach  a  most  evan- 
gelical sermon,  in  the  winning  manner  of  native  eloquence,  with- 
out the  aid  of  a  cambric  handkerchief. 

In  the  present  instance  he  yielded,  in  manyplaces,  to  the  prejudices 
of  his  congregation  ;  and  when  he  had  ended,  there  was  not  one 
of  his  new  hearers  who  did  not  think  the  ceremonies  less  papal 
and  offensive,  and  more  conformant  to  his  or  her  own  notions  of 
devout  worship,  than  they  kid  been  led  to  expect  from  a  service 
of  forms.  Richard  found  in  the  divine,  during  the  evening,  a 
most  powerful  co-operator  in  his  religious  schemes.  In  preach- 
ing, Mr.  Grant  endeavoured  to  steer  a  middle  course  between 
the  mystical  doctrines  of  those  sublimated  creeds,  which  daily 
involve  their  professors  in  the  most  absurd  contradictions,  and 
those  fluent  rules  of  moral  government,  which  would  reduce  the 
Saviour  to  a  level  with  the  teacher  of  a  school  of  ethics. 
Doctrine  it  was  necessary  to  preach,  for  nothing  kss  would  have 
satisfied  the  disputatious  people  who  were  his  listeners,  and  who 
would  have  interpreted  silence  on  his  part  into  a  tacit  acknow- 
ledgment of  the  superficial  nature  of  his  creed.  We  have 
already  said  that,  among  the  endless  variety  of  religious  instruc- 
tors, the  settlers  were  accustomed  to  hear  every  denomination 
urge  its  own  distinctive  precepts ;  and  to  have  found  one  in* 
different  to  this  interesting  subject,  would  have  been  destructive 
to  his  influence.  But  Mr.  Grant  BO  happily  blended  the 
universally  received  opinions  of  the  Christian  faith  with  the 
dogmas  of  his  own  church,  that,  although  none  were  entirely 
exempt  from  the  influence  of  his  reasons,  very  few  took  any 
alarm  at  the  innovation. 

"  When  we  consider  the  great  diversity  of  the  human  character, 
influenced  as  it  is  by  education,  by  opportunity,  and  by  the 
physical  and  jnoral  conditions  of  the  creature,  my  dear  hearera," 


100  THE  PIONEERS. 

he  earnestly  concluded,  "  it  can  excite  no  surprise  that  creeds,  so 
very  different  in  their  tendencies,  should  grow  out  of  a  religion 
revealed,  it  ia  true,  but  v/hoso  revelations  are  obscured  by  the 
lapse  of  ages,  and  whose  doctrines  were,  after  the  fashion  of  the 
countries  in  which  they  were  first  promulgated,  frequently 
delivered  in  parables,  and  in  a  language  abounding  in  metaphors 
and  loaded  with  figures.  On  points  where  the  learned  have,  in 
purity  of  heart,  been  compelled  to  differ,  the  unlettered  will 
necessarily  be  at  variance.  But,  happily  for  us,  my  brethren, 
the  fountain  of  divine  love  flows  from  a  source  too  pure  to  admit 
of  pollution  in  its  course  ;  it  extends  to  those  who  drink  of  its 
vivifying  waters  the  peace  of  the  righteous,  and  life  everlasting  j 
it  endures  through  all  time,  and  it  pervades  creation.  If  there 
be  mystery  in  its  workings,  it  is  the  mystery  of  a  Divinity. 
With  a  clear  knowledge  of  the  nature,  the  might,  and  majesty  of 
God,  there  might  be  conviction,  but  there  could  be  no  faith.  If 
we  are  required  to  believe  in  doctrines  that  seem  not  in  con- 
formity with  the  deductions  of  human  wisdom,  let  us  never 
forget  that  such  is  the  mandate  of  a  wisdom  that  is  infinite.  It 
is  sufficient  for  us,  that  enough  is  developed  to  point  our  path 
aright,  and  to  direct  our  wandering  steps'  to  that  portal  which 
shall  open  on  the  light  of  an  eternal  day.  Then,  indeed,  it  may 
be  humbly  hoped,  that  the  film,  which  has  been  spread  by  the 
subtleties  of  earthly  arguments,  will  be  dissipated  by  the  spiritual 
light  of  heaven ;  and  that  our  hour  of  probation,  by  the  aid  of 
divine  grace,  being  once  passed  in  triumph,  will  be  followed 
by  an  eternity  of  intelligence  and  endless  ages  of  fruition. 
All  that  is  now  obscure  shall  become  plain  to  our  expanded 
faculties ;  and  what  to  our  present  senses  may  seem  irreconcil- 
able to  our  limited  notions  of  mercy,  of  justice,  and  of  love, 
shall  stand,  irradiated  by  the  light  of  truth,  confessedly  the 
suggestions  of  Omniscience,  and  the  acts  of  an  All-powerful 
Benevolence. 

"What  a  lesson  of  humility,  my  brethren,  ^might  not  each  of 
us  obtain  from  a  review  of  his  infant  hours  and  the  recollections 
of  his  juvenile  passions  !  How  differently,  do  the  same  acts  of 
parental  rigour  appear,  in  the  eyes  of  the  suffering  child,  and  oi:' 
the  chastened  man  !  When  the  sophist  would  supplant,  with  tho 
wild  theories  of  his  worldly  wisdom,  the  positive  mandates  Ct 
inspiration,  let  him  remember  the  expansion  of  his  own  feeblo 
intellects,  and  pause — let  him  feel  the  wisdom  of  God,  in  what 
is  partially  concealed,  as  well  as  in  that  which  is  revealed  ; — i:\ 
short,  let  him  substitute  humility  for  pride  of  reason — let  him 
have  faith,  and  live  ! 

"  The  consideration  of  this  subject  is  full  of  consolation,  my 
hearers,  and  does  not  fail  to  bring  with  it  lessons  of  humility  and 
of  profit,  that,  duly  improved,  would  both  chasten  the  heart,  and 


TUE  PIONEERS.  101 

strengthen  the  feeble-minded  man  in  his  course.  It  is  a  blessed 
consolation  to  be  able  to  lay '-the  nrisdoubtings  of  our  arrogant 
nature  at  the  threshold  of  the  dwelling-place  of  the  Deity,  from 
whence  they  shall  be  swept  away,  at  the  great  opening  of  the 
portal,  like  the  mists  of  the  morning  before  the  rising  sun.  It 
teaches  us  a  lesson  of  humility,  by  impressing  us  with  the  im- 
perfection of  human  powers,  and  by  warning  us  of  the  many 
weak  points,  where  we  are  open  to  the  attacks  of  the  great 
enemy  of  our  race  ;  it  proves  to  us  that  we  are  in  danger  of  being 
weak,  when  our  vanity  would  fain  soothe  us  into  the  belief  that 
we  are  most  strong  ;  it  forcibly  points  out  to  us  the  vainglory  of 
intellect,  and  shows  us  the  vast  difference  between  a  saving  faith, 
and  the  corollaries  of  a  philosophical  theology  ;  and  it  teaches  us 
to  reduce  our  self-examination  to  the  test  of  good  works.  By 
good  works  must  be  understood  the  fruits  of  repentance,  the 
chiefest  of  which  is  charity.  Not  that  charity  only  which 
causes  us  to  help  the  needy  and  comfort  the  suffering^  but 
that  feeling  of  universal  philanthropy,  which,  by  teaching  us 
to  love,  causes  us  to  judge  with  lenity,  all  men  ;  striking  at  the 
root  of  self-righteousness,  and  warning  us  to  be  sparing  of  our 
condemnation  of  others,  while  our  own  salvation  is  not  yet 
secure. 

"  The  lesson  of  expediency,  my  brethren,  which  I  would  gather 
from  the  consideration  of  this  subject,  is  most  strongly  inculcated 
by  humility.  On  the  leading  and  essential  points  of  our  faith 
there  is  but  little  difference  among  those  classes  of  Christians  who 
acknowledge  the  attributes  of  the  Saviour,  and  depend  on  His 
mediation.  But  heresies  have  polluted  every  church,  and  schisms 
are  the  fruits  of  disputation.  In  order  to  arrest  these  dangers, 
and  to  ensure  the  union  of  His  followers,  it  would  seem  that 
Christ  had  established  His  visible  Church,  and  delegated  the 
ministry.  Wise  and  holy  men,  the  fathers  of  our  religion,  have 
expended  their  labours  in  clearing  what  was  revealed  from  the 
obscurities  of  language,  and  the  results  of  their  experience  and 
researches  have  been  embodied  in  the  form  of  evangelical  disci- 
pline. That  this  discipline  must  be  salutary  is  evident  from  the 
view  of  the  weakness  of  human  nature  that  we  have  already 
taken  ;  and  that  it  may  be  profitable  to  us,  and  all  who  listen  to 
its  precepts  and  its  liturgy,  may  God,  in  His  infinite  wisdom, 
grant. — And  now  to,"  etc. 

With  this  ingenious  reference  to  his  own  forms  and  ministry, 
Mr.  Grant  concluded  the  discourse.  The  most  profound  attention 
had  been  paid  to  the  sermon  during  the  whole  of  its  delivery, 
although  the  prayers  had  not  been  received  with  so  perfect  a 
demonstration  of  respect.  This  was  by  no  means  an  intended 
slight  of  that  liturgy  to  which  the  divine  alluded,  but  was  the 
habit  of  a  people  who  owed  their  very  existence  as  a  distinct 

,       ^    R 


108  THE  PIONEERS. 

nation  to  the  doctrinal  character  of  their  ancestors.  Sundry 
looks  of  private  dissatisfaction  were  exchanged  between  Hiram 
and  one  or  two  of  the  leading  members,  of  the  conference,  but  the 
feeling  went  no  farther  at  that  time  ;  and-  the  congregation,  after 
receiving  the  blessing  of  Mr.  Grant,  dispersed  in  silence,  and 
vdth  great  dec: 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Your  creeda  and  dogmas  of  a  learned  chnrch 

May  build  a  fabric,  fair  with  moral  beauty; 

But  it  would  Ecem  that  the  strong  hand  of  God 

Can.  only  'rase  the  devil  from  the  neart.  Duo. 

WHILE  the  congregation  was  (separating,  Mi-.  Grant  approached 
the  place  v/here Elizabeth  and  her  father  were  bealed,  leading  the 
youthful  female  whom  we  have  mentioned  in  the  preceding 
chapter,  and  presented  her  as  his  daughter.  Her  reception  was 
as  cordial  and  frank  as  the  manners  of  the  country  and  the  value 
of  good  society  could  render  it,  the  two  young  women  feeling 
instantly  that  they  -were  necessary  to  the  comfort  of  each  other. 
The  Judge,  to  v/hom.  the  clergyman's  daughter  was  also  a  stranger, 
waa  pleased  to  find  one  who,  from  habits,  sex,  and  years,  could 
prcbably  contribute  largely  to  tit  pleasures  of  his  own  child 
during  her  first  privations,  'on  her  removal  from  the  associations 
of  a  city  to  the  solitude  of  Templeton  ;.  while  Elizabeth,  who  had 
been  forcibly  struck  with  the  sweetness  and  devotion  of  the 
youthful  suppliant,  removed  the  slight  enbarrassment  of  the  timid 
stranger  by  the  ease  of  her  ov/n  manners.  They  were  at  once 
acquainted ;  and  during  the  ten  minutes  that  the  "  academy  "  was 
clearing,  engagements  were  made  between  the  young  people, 
not  only  for  the  succeeding  day,  but  they  would  probably  have 
embraced  in  their  arrangements  half  of  the  winter,  had  not  the 
divine  interrupted  them  by  saying, — 

"Gently,  gently,  my  dear  Miss  Temple,  or  you  will  make 
my  girl  too  dissipated.  You  forget  that  she  is  my  housekeeper, 
and  that  my  domestic  affairs  must  remain  unattended  to  should 
Louise,  accept  of  half  the  kind  offers  you  are  EO  good  as  to  make 
her." 

"  And  why  should  they  not  be  neglected  entirely,  sir  ? "  inter- 
rupted Elizabeth.  "  There  are  but  two  of  you  ;  and  certain  I 
am  that  my  father's  house  will  not  only  contain  you  both,  but 
will  open  its  doors  spontaneously  to  receive  such  guests.  Society 
is  a  good  not  to  be  rejected  on  account  of  cold  forms  in  this  wilder- 
ness, sir  ;  and  I  have  often  heard  my  father  say  that  hospitality 
is  not  a  virtue  in  a  new  country,  the  favour  being  conferred  by 
the  guest." 


104  THE  PIONEERS. 

"The  manner  in  which  .Judge  Temple  exercises  its  rites  would 
confirm  this  opinion ;  but  we  must  not  trespass  too  freely.  Doubt 
not  that  you  will  see  us  often,  my  child,  particularly  during  the 
frequent  visits  that  I  ehall  be  compelled  to  make  to  the  distant 
parts  of  the  county.  But  to  obtain  an  influence  with  such  a 
people,"  he  continued,  glancing  his  eyes  towards  the  few  who  were 
still  lingering,  curious  observers  of  the  interview,  "  a  clergyman 
must  not  awaken  envy  or  distrust,  by  dwelling  under  so  splendid 
a  roof  as  that  of  Judge  Temple." 

"  You  like  the  roof  then,  Mr,  Grant,"  cried  Richard,  who  had 
been  directing  the  extinguishment  of  the  fires  and  other  little 
necessary  duties,  and  who  approached  in  time  to  hear  the  close  of 
the  divine's  speech.  '.'  I  am  glad  to  find  one  man  of  taste  at  last 
Here's  'duke,  now,  pretends  to  call  it  by  every  abusive  name  ha 
can  invent ;  but  though  'duke  is  a  very  toleraole  judge,  he  is  a 
very  poor  carpenter,  let  me  tell  him.  Well,  sir,  well,  I  think  we 
may  say,  without  boasting,  that  the  service  was  as  well  performed 
this  evening  as  you  often  see  ,  I  think,  quite  as  well  as  1  ever 
knew  it  to  be  done  in  old  Trinity — that  is,  if  we  except  tho 
organ.  But  there  is  the  schoolmaster  leads  a  psalm  with  a  very 
good  air.  I  used  to  lead  myself,  but  latterly  I  have  sung  nothing 
but  bass.  There  is  a  good  deal  of  science  to  be  shown  in  the  bass, 
and  it  affords  a  fine  opportunity  to  show  off  a'  full,  deep  voi;:  '•.. 
Benjamin,  too,  singa  a  good  bass,  though  he  is  often  out  in 
the  words.  Did  you  ever  hear  Benjamin  sing  the  'Bay  of 
Biscay,  0'?" 

"  I  believe  he  gave  us  part  of  it  this  evening,"  said  Marmaduk*', 
laughing.  "  There  was,  now  and  then,  a  fearful  quaver  in  hi  A 
voice,  and  it  seems  that  Mr.  Penguillian  is  like  most  others  wb  j 
do  one  thing  particularly  well  —  he  -knows  nothing  else.  Ha 
has,  certainly,  a  wonderful  partiality  to  one  tune,  and  he  htts 
a  prodigious  self-confidence  in  that  one,  for  he  delivers  him- 
self like  a  north-wester  sweeping  across  the  lake.  But  come, 
gentlemen,  our  way  is  clear,  and  the  sleigh  waits.  Good 
evening,  Mr.  Grant.  Good  night,  young  lady ;  remember  that 
you  dine  beneath  the  Corinthian  roof  to-morrow  with  Eliza- 
beth." 

The  parties  separated,  Richard  holding  a  close  dissertation  with 
Mr.  Le  Quoi  as  .they  descended  the  stairs  en  the  subject  of 
psalmody,  which  he  closed  by  a  violent  eulogium  on  the  air  of 
the  "  Bay  of  Biscay,  0,"  as  particularly  connected  with  his  friend 
Benjamin's  execution. 

During  the  preceding  dialogue  Mohegan  retained  his  seat,  wr.th 
his  head  shrouded  in  his  blanket,  aa  seemingly  inattentive  to 
surrounding  objects,  as  the  departing  congregation  was  itself  to 
the  presence  of  the  aged  chief  Natty  also  continued  on  the  i*  •£, 
•where  he  had  first  placed-  himself,  with  his  head  resting  on  ona  sf 


.  1-10XEER8. 

his  hands,  while  the  other  held  the  rifle  which  was  thrown 
lessly  across  his  lap.  Hh  countenance  expressed  uneasiness,  asd 
the  occasional  unquiet  glances  that  he  had  thrown  arouni  hfan 
during  the  service  plainly  indicated  some  unusual  causes  for  «• 
happiness.  His  continuing  seated  was,  however,  out  of  respect 
to  the  Indian  chief,  to  whom  he  paid  the  utmost  deference  on  all 
occasions,  although  it  was  mingled  with  the  rough  manner  of  a 
hunter. 

The  young  companion  of  these  two  ancient  inhabitants  of 
the  forest  remained  also,  standing  before  the  extinguished  brands, 
probably  from  an  unwillingness  to  depart  without  his  com- 
rades. The  room  was  now  deserted  by  all  but  this  group,  the 
divine,  and  his  daughter. .  As  the  party  from  the  Mansion- 
house  disappeared,  John  arose,  and  dropping  the  blanket  from 
his  head,  he  shook  back  the  mass  of  black  hair  from  his  face, 
and  approaching  Mr.  Grant,  he  extended  his  hand,  and  said 
solemnly, — 

"  Father,  I  thank  you.  The  words  that  have  been  said  since 
the  rising  moon  have  gone  upward,  and  the  Great  Spirit  is  glad. 
"Wliat  you  have  told  your  children  they  will  remember,  and  be 
good."  He  paused  a  moment,  and  then,  elevating  himself  with 
the  grandeur  of  an  Indian  chief,  he  added, — "If  Chingachgook 
lives  to  travel  towards  the  setting  sun  after  his  tribe,  and  the 
Great  Spirit  carries  him  over  the  lakes  and  mountains  with  the 
breath  in  his  body,  he  will  tell  his  people  the  good  talk  he  has 
heard,  and  they  will  believe  him  ;  for  who  can  say  that  Mohegan 
has  ever  lied  ?" 

"Let  him  place  his  dependence  on  the  goodness  of  divine 
mercy,"  said  Mr.  Grant,  to  whom  the  proud  consciousness  of  the 
Indian  sounded  a  little  heterodox,  "and  it  never  will  desert  him. 
When  the  heart  is  filled  with  love  to  God,  there  is  no  room  for 
sin.  But,  young  man,  to  you  I  owe  not  only  an  obligation,  in 
common  with  those  you  eared  this  evening  on  the  mountain, 
but  my  thanks,  for  your  respectful  and  pious  manner  in  assisting 
in  the  service  at  a  most  embarrassing  moment.  I  should  be 
happy  to  see  you  sometimes  at  my  dwelling,  when,  perhaps, 
my  conversation  may  strengthen  you  in  the  path  which  you 
appear  to  have  chosen.  It  is  BO  unusual  to  find  one  of  your  age 
and  appearance  in  these  woods  at  all  acquainted  with  our  holy 
liturgy,  that  it  lessens  at  once  the  distance  between  us,  and  I 
feel  that  we  are  no  longer  strangers.  You  seem  quite  at  home 
in  the  service  ;  I  did  not  perceive  that  you  had  even  a  book, 
although  good  Mr.  Jones  had  laid  several  in  different  parts  of  the 
room." 

"It  would  be  strange  if  I  were  ignorant  of  the  service  of  oui 
church,  sir,"  returned  the  youth  modestly  ;  "for  I  was  baptized 
>n  it»  communion,  and  I  have  never  yet  attended  public  worship 


,  ).j  THE  PIONEERS. 

elsewhere.  For  me  to  use  the  forms  of  any  other  denomination 
would  be  as  singular  as  our  own  have  proved  to  the  people  here 
this  evening." 

"  You  give  me  great  pleasure,  my  dear  sir,"  cried  the  divine, 
seizing  the  other  hy  the  hand,  and  shaking  it  cordially.  "You 
will  go  home  with  me  now — indeed  you  must — my  child  has  yet 
to  thank  you  for  saving  my  life.  I  will  listen  to  no  apologies. 
This  worthy  Indian,  and  your  friend  there,  will  accompany  us. 
Bless  me  1  to  think  that  he  has  arrived  at  manhood  in  this  country 
without  entering  a  Dissenting l  meeting-house  !  " 

"No,  no,"  interrupted  the  Leather- stocking,  "I  must  away  to 
the  wigwam  ;  there's  work  there  that  musn't  be  forgotten  for  all 
your  churchings  and  merry-makings.  Let  the  lad  go  with  you 
in  welcome  ;  he  is  used  to  keeping  company  with  ministers,  and 
talking  of  such  matters;  so  is  old  John,  who  was  Christianized 
by  the  Moravians  about  the  time  of  the  old  war.  But  I  am  a 
plain  unlarned  man,  that  has  sarved  both  the.  king  and  his  country 
in  his  day  ag'in  the  French  and  savages,  but  never  so  much  as 
looked  into  a  book,  or  larnt  a  letter  of  scholarship,  in  my  born 
days.  I've  never  seen  the  use  of  such  in-door  work,  though  I 
have  lived  to  be  partly  bald,  and,  in  my  time,  have  killed  two 
hundred  beaver  in  a  season,  and  that  without  counting  the  other 
game.  If  you  mistrust  what  I  am  telling  you,  you  can  a?,k 
Chingachgook  there,  for  I  did  it  in  the  heart  of  the  Delaware 
country,  and  the  old  man  is  knowing  to  the  truth  of  every  word 
I  say." 

"  I  doubt  not,  my  friend,  that  you  have  been  both  a  valiant 
soldier  and  skilful  hunter,  in  your  day,"  said  the  divine  ;  "but 
more  is  wanting  to  prepare  you  "for  that  end  which  approaches. 
You  may  have  heard  the  maxim,  that '  young  men  may  die,  but 
that  old  men  must.' " 

"  I'm  sure  I  never  was  so  great  a  fool  as  to  expect  to  live  for 
ever,"  said  Natty,  giving  one  of  his  silent  laughs ;  "  no  man 
need  do  that  who  trails  the  savages  through  the  woods  as  I  have 
done,  and  lives  for  the  hot  months  on  the  lake  streams.  I've  a 
ttrong  constitution,  I  must  say  that  for  myself,  as  is  plain  to  be 
seen  ;  for  I've  drunk  the  Onondaga  water  a  hundred  times  while 
I've  been  watching  the  deer-licks,  when  the  fcver-an-agy  seeds 
was  to  bo  seen  in  it  as  plain  and  as  plenty  as  you  can  see  the 
rattlesnakes  on  old  Criimhorn.  But  then,  I  never  expected  to 
hold  out  for  ever  ;  though  there's  them  living  who  have  seen  the 
Carman  flats  a  wilderness ;  ay !  and  them  that's  lamed  and  ac- 
quainted with  religion,  too  ;  'though  you  might  look  a  week  now 
and  not  find  even  the  stump  of  a  pine  on  them ;  and  that's  a*wood 

l  The  divines  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  the  United  State*  commonly 
call  other  denominations  Dissenters,  though  there  never  was  an  established  church 
iii  their  own  country  I 


THE  PIONEERS.  107 

that  lasts  in  the  ground  the  better  Dart  of  a  hundred  years  after 
the  tree  is  dead." 

"  This  is  but  time,  my  good  friend,"  returned  Mr.  Grant,  who 
began  to  take  an  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  new  acquaintance, 
"  but  I  would  have  you  prepare  for  eternity.  It  is  incumbent  on 
jrou  to  attend  places  of  public  worship,  as  I  am  pleased  to  see 
that  you  have  done  this  evening.  Would  it  not  be  heedless  in 
you  to  start  on  a  day's  toil  of  hard  hunting,  and  leave  your 
rainrod  and  flint  behind  ? " 

"  It  must  be  a  young  hand  in  the  woods,"  interrupted  Natty 
with  another  laugh,  "  that  didn't  know  how  to  dress  a  rod  out  of 
an  ash  sapling,  or  find  a  fire  stone  in  the  mountains.  No,  no,  1 
never  expected  to  live  for  ever  ;  but  I  see  times  be  altering  in 
these  mountains  from  what  they  was  thirty  years  ago,  or,  for 
that  matter,  ten  years.  But  might  makes  right,  and  the  law  is 
stronger  than  an  old  man,  whether  he  is  one  that  has  much 
laming,  or  only  one  like  me,  that  is  better  now  at  standing  at 
the  passes  than  in  following  the  hounds,  as  I  once  used  to  could. 
Heigh-ho  !  I  never  know'd  preaching  come  into  a  settlement, 
but  it  made  game  scarce,  and  raised  the  price  of  gunpowder  ; 
and  that's  a  thing  that's  not  as  easily  made  as  a  ramrod,  or  an 
Indian  flint." 

The  divine,  perceiving  that  he  had  given  his  opponent  an 
argument,  by  his  own  unfortunate  selection  of  a  comparison, 
very  prudently  relinquished  the  controversy  ;  although  he  was 
fully  determined  to  resume  it  at  a  more  happy  moment.  Repeat- 
ing hia  request  to  the  young  hunter  with  great  earnestness,  the 
youth  and  Indian  conseated  to  accompany  him  and  his  daughter 
to  the  dwelling  that  the  care  of  Mr.  Jones  had  provided  for 
their  temporary  residence.  Leather-stocking  persevered  in  his 
intention  of  returning  to  the  hut,  and  at  the  door  of  the  building 
they  separated. 

After  following  the  course  of  one  of  the  streets  of  the  village 
a  short  distance,  Mr.  Grant,  who  led  the  way,  turned  into  a 
field,  through  a  pair  of  open  bars,  and  entered  a  footpath  of  but 
fufiicicnt  width  to  admit  one  person  to  walk  in  it  at  a  time. 
The  moon  had  gained  a  height  th'at  enabled  hey  to  throw  her  rays 
perpendicularly  on  the  valley  ;  and  the  distinct  shadows  of  the 
party  flitted  along  on  the  banks  of  the  silver  snow,  like  the 
presence  of  aerial  figures  gliding  to  their  appointed  place  of 
meeting.  The  night  still  continued  intensely  cold,  although  not 
a  breath  of  wind  was  felt.  The  path  was  beaten  so  hard  that 
the  gentle  female  who  inacfe  one  of  the  party,  moved  with  ease 
along  its  windings  ;  though  the  frost  emitted  a  low  creaking  at 
the  impression  of  even  her  light  footsteps. 

The  clergyman  in  his  dark  dress  of  broadcloth,  with  hia 
;niild,  benevolent  countenance  occasionally  turned  toward*  hi& 


108  THE  PIONEERS. 

companions,  expressing  that  look  of  subdued  care  which  was  its 
characteristic,  presented  the  first  object  in  this  singular  group 
Next  to  him  moved  the  Indian,  his  hair  falling  about  his  face, 
his  head  uncovered,  and  the  rest  of  hia  form  concealed  tancath 
his  blanket.  As  his  swarthy  visage,  with  its  muscles  fix:l  m 
rigid  composure,  was  seen  under  the  light  of  the  moon 
Etruck  his  face  obliquely,  he  seemed  a  picture  of  resigned  old  a"-', 
on  whom  the  storms  of  winter  had  beaten  in  vain,  for  the  greater 
part  of  a  century  ;  but  when  in  turning  his  head,  the  rays  ft  11 
directly  on  his  dark  fiery  eyes,  they  told  a  tale  of  passions 
unrestrained  and  of  thoughts  free  as  air.  The  slight  person  of 
Miss  Grant,  which  followed  next,  and  which  was  but  too  thinly 
clad  for  the  severity  of  the  season,  formed  a  marked  contrast  to 
the  wild  attire  and  uneasy  glances  of  the  Delaware  chief ;  and 
more  than  once  during  their  walk,  tho  young  hunter,  himself 
no  insignificant  figure  in  the  group,  was  led  to  consider  tho 
difference  in  the  human  form,  as  the  face  of  Mohegan  and  tho 
gentle  countenance  of  Miss  Grant,  with  eyes  that  rivalled  the 
soft  hue  of  the  sky,  met  his  view,  at  the  instant  that  each  turned 
to  throw  a  glance  at  the  splendid  orb  which  liglitcd  their  path. 
Their  way,  which  led  through  fields  that  lay  at  some  distance  in 
the  rear  of  the  houses,  was  cheered  by  a  conversation  that  flagged 
or  became  animated  with"  the  subject.  The  first  to  speak  was 
the  divine. 

"  Really,"  he  said,  "  it  is  so  singular  a  circumstance  to  meet 
with  one  of  your  age,  that  has  not  been  induced  by  idle  curiosity 
to  visit  any  other  church  than  the  one  in  which  he  has  been 
educated,  that  I  feel  a  strong  curiosity  to  know  the  history  of  a 
life  sc  fortunately  regulated.  Your  education  must  have  been 
excellent ;  as  indeed  is  evident  from  your  manners  and  language. 
Of  which  of  the  States  are  you  a  native,  Mr.  Edwards?  ib;1 
such,  I  believe,  was  the  name  that  you  gave  Judge  Temple." 

"Of  this." 

"  Of  this  1  I  was  at  a  loss  to  conjecture,  from  your  dialect, 
which  does  not  partake  particularly  of  the  peculiarities  of  a;:y 
country  with  which  I  am  acquainted.  Y"ou  have,  then,  resiJ- 
much  in  the  cities,  for  no  other  part  of  this  country  is  LJ 
fortunate  as  to  possess  the  constant  enjoyflaent  of  our  excellent 
liturgy." 

The  young  hunter  smiled  as  he  listened  to  the  divine,  v/liilc 
he  so  clearly  betrayed  from  what  part  of  the  country  he  had 
come  himself;  but  for  reasons  probably  connected  with  his 
present  situation,  he  made  no  answer. 

"  I  am  delighted  to  meet  with  you,  my  young  friend,  for  1 
think  an  ingenuous  mind,  such  as  I  doubt  not  yours  must  bo, 
will  exhibit  all  the  advantages  of  a  settled  doctrine  and  devout 
liturgy.  You  perceive  how  I  was  compelled  to  bend  to  the 


THE  PIONEERS.  10d 

humours  of  my  hearers  this  evening.  Good  Mr.  Jones  wished 
me  to  read  the  communion,  and,  in  fact,  all  the  morning 
service ;  but  happily  the  canons  do  not  require  this  of  an 
evening.  It  would  have  wearied  a  new  congregation ;  but 
to-morrow  I  purpose  administering  the  sacrament.  Do  you 
commune,  my  young  friend  ? " 

"  I  believe  not,  sir,"  returned  the  youth,  with  a  little  embarrass- 
ment, that  was  not  at  all  diminished  by  Miss  Grant's  pausing 
involuntarily,  and  turning  her  eyes  oa  him  in  surprise — "  I  fear 
that  I  am  not  qualified  ;  I  have  never  yet  approached  the  altar  ; 
neither  would  I  wish  to  do  it  while  I  find  BO  much  of  the  world 
clinging  to  my  heart" 

"Each  must  judge  for  himself,"  said  Mr.  Grant ;  "though  I 
should  think  that  a  youth  who  had  never  been  blown  about  by 
the  wind  of  false  doctrines,  and  who  has  enjoyed  the  advantages 
of  our  liturgy  for  so  many  years  in  its  purity,  might  safely  come. 
Yet,  sir,  it  is  a  solemn  festival,  which  none-  should  celebrate, 
until  there  is  reason  to  hope  it  is  not  mockery.  I  observed  this 
evening,  in  your  manner  to  Judge  Temple,  a  resentment  that 
bordered  on  one  of  the  worst  of  human  passions^ — We  will  cross 
this  brook  on  the  ice  ;  it  must  bear  us  all,  I  think,  in  safety. — 
Be  careful  not  to  slip,  my  child."  While  speaking,  he  descended 
a  little  bank  by  the  path,  and  crossed  one  of  the  small  streams 
that  poured  their  waters  into  the  lake  ;  and,  turning  to  see  his 
daugnter  pass,  observed  that  the  youth  had  advanced,  and  was 
kindly  directing  her,  footsteps.  When  all  were  safely  over,  he 
moved  up  the  opposite  bank,  and  continued  his  discourse. — 
"  It  was  wrong,  my  dear  sir,  very  wrong,  to  suffer  such  feelings 
to  rise,  under  any  circumstances,  and  especially  in  the  present, 
where  the  evil  was  not  intended." 

"There  is  good  in  the  talk  of  my  father,"  said  Mohegan, 
stopping  short,  and  causing  those  who  'were  behind  him  to 
pause  also ;  "  it  is  the  talk  of  Miquon.  The  white  man  may 
do  as  his  fathers  have  told  him  ;  out  the  'Young  Eagle'  has 
the  blood  of  a  Delaware  chief  in  his  veins ;  it  is  red,  and 
the  stain  it  makes  can  only  be  washed  out  with  the  blood  of  a 
Mingo." 

Mr.  Grant  was  surprised  by  the  interruption  of  the  Indian,  and 
stopping,  faced  the  speaker.  His  mild  features  were  confronted 
to  the  fierce  and  determined  looks  of  the  chief,  and  expressed 
'the  horror  he  felt  at  hearing  such  sentiments  from  one  who 
professed  the  religion  of  his  Saviour.  Raising  his  hands  to  a 
level  with  his  head,  he  exclaimed, — 

"John,  John  !  is  this  the  religion  that^ou  have  learned  from 
the  Moravians  ?  But  no — I  will  not  be  so  uncharitable"  as  to 
suppose  it.  They  are  a  pious,  a  gentle,  and  a  mild  people,  and 
could  never  tolerate  these  passions.  Listen  to  the  language  of 


1 10  THE  PIONEERS. 

the  Redeemer — 'But  I  say  unto  you,  love  your  enemies  ;  bless 
them  that  curse  you  ;  do  good  to  them  that  hate  you  ;  and  pray 
for  them  that  despitefully  use  you  and  persecute  you.' — This  is 
the  command  of  God,  John,  and  without  striving  to  cultivate 
such  feelings,  no  man  can  see  Him." 

The  Indian  heard  the  divine  with  attention  ;  the  unusual  fire 
of  his  eye  gradually  softened,  and  his  muscles  relaxed  into 
their  ordinary  composure;  but,  slightly  shaking  his  head,  he 
motioned  with  dignity  for  Mr.  Grant  to  resume  his  walk,  and 
followed  himself  in  silence.  The  agitation  of  the  divine  caused 
him  to  move  with  unusual  rapidity  along  the  deep  path,  and  the 
Indian,  without  any  apparent  exertion,  kept  an  equal  pace ;  but 
the  young  hunter  observed  the  female  to  linger  in  her  steps,  until 
a  trifling  distance  intervened  between  the  two  former  and  the 
latter.  Struck  by  the  circumstance,  and  not  perceiving  any  new 
impediment  to  retard  her  footsteps,  the  youth  made  a  tender  of 
his  assistance. 

"  You  are  fatigued,  Miss  Grant,"  he  said  ;  "  the  snow  yields  to 
the  foot,  and  you  are  unequal  to  the  strides  of  us  men.  Step  on 
the  crust,  I  entreat  you,  and  take  the  help  of  my  arm.  Yonder 
light  is,  I  believe,  the  house  of  your  father  ;  but  it  seems  yet  at 
some  distance." 

"I  am  quite  equal  to  the  walk,"  returned  a  low  tremulous 
voice  ;  "but  I  am  startled  by  the  manner  of  that  Indian.  Oh  ! 
his  eye  was  horrid,  as  he  turned  to  the  moon,  in  speaking  to 
my  father.  But  I  forget,  sir  ;  he  is  your  friend,  and  by  his 
language  may  be  your  relative  f  and  yet  of  you  I  do  not  feel 
afraid. 

The  young  man  stepped  on  the  bank  of  snow,  which  firmly 
sustained  his  weight,  and  by  a  gentle  effort  induced  his  com- 
panion to  follow. "  Drawing  her  arm  through  his  own,  he  lifted 
his  cap  from  his  head,  allowing  the  dark  locks  to  flow  in  rich 
curls  over  his  open  brow,  and  walked  by  her  side,  with  an  air 
of  conscious  pride,  as  if  inviting  an  examination  of  his  inmost 
thoughts. — Louisa  took  but  a  furtive  glance  at  his  person,  and 
moved  quietly  along,  at  a  rate  that  was  greatly  quickened  by  the 
aid  of  his  arm. 

"You  are  but  little  acquainted  with  this  peculiar  people, 
Miss  Grant,"  .he  said,  "  or  you  would  know  that  revenge  id  a 
virtue  with  an  Indian.  They  are  taught,  from  infancy  upward, 
to  believe  it  a  duty,  never  to  allow  an  injury  to  pass  unresisted  ; 
and  nothing  but  the  stronger  claims  of  hospitality  can  guard  one 
against  their  resentments,  where  they  have  power." 

"Surely,  sir,*'  said  Miss  Grant,  involuntarily  withdrawing 
ner  aria  from  his,  "  you  have  not  been  educated  with  such 
unholy  sentiments." 

"  It  might  be  a  sufficient  answer  to  your  excellent  father  to. 


THE  PIONEERS.  Ill 

pay  that  I  was  educated  in  the  church,"  he  returned  ;  "but  to 
you  I  -will  add,  tbat  I  have  been  taught  deep  and  practical 
lessons  of  forgiveness.  1  believe  that,  on  this  subject,  I  Lave  but 
little  cause  to  reproach  myself ;  it  shall  be  my  endeavour  that 
there  yet  be  less." 

While  speaking,  he  flopped,  and  stood  with  his  arm  again 
proffered  to  her  assistance.  As  he  ended,  she  cuktly  accepted 
his  ofl'er,  and  they  resumed  their  walk. 

Mr.  Grant  and  Mohegan  had  reached  the  door  of  the  former's 
residence,  and  stood  waiting  near  its  threshold  for  the  arrival  of 
their  young  companions.  The  former  was  earnestly  occupied 
in  endeavouring  to  correct,  by  his  precepts,  the  evil  propensities 
that  he  had  discovered  in  the  Indian  during  their  conversation  ; 
to  which  the  latter  listened  in  profound  but  respectful  attention. 
On  the  arrival  of  the  young  hunter  and  the  lady  they  entered 
the  building. 

The  house  stood  at  son,e  Distance  from  the  village,  in  the 
-centre  of  a  field,  surrounded  by  stumps  that  were  peering  above 
the  snow,  bearing  oyjs  of  pure  white  nearly  two  feet  in 
thickness.  Not  a  tree  nor  a  shrub  was  nigh  it ;  but  the  house 
externally  exhibited  that  cheerless  unfinished  aspect  which  is 
so  common  to  the  hastily  erected  Dwellings  of  a  new  country. 
The  uninviting  character  of  its  outside  was,  however,  happily 
relieved  by  the  exquisite  neatness  and  comfortable  warmth 
within. 

They  entered  an  apartment  that  was  fitted  as  a  parlour,  though 
the  large  fireplace,  with  its  culinary  arrangements,  betrayed  the 
domestic  uses  10  which  it  was  occasionally  applied.  The  bright 
blaze  from  the  hearth  rendered  the  light  that  proceeded  from  the 
candle  Louisa  produced  unnecessary  ;  for  the  scanty  furniture 
of  the  room  was  easily  seen  and  examined  by  the  foiiner.  The 
floor  was  covered  in  the  centre  by  a  carpet  made  of  rags,  a  species 
of  manufacture  that  was  then,  and  yet  continues  to  be,  much  in 
use  in  the  interior  ;  while  its  edges,  that  were  exposed  to  view, 
were  of  unspotted  cleanliness.  There  was  a  trifling  air  of  better 
life  in  a  tea-table  and  work- stand,  as  well  as  in  an  old-fashioned 
mahogany  bookcase ;  but  the  chairs,  the  dining-table.  and  the 
rest  of  the  furniture  were  of  the  plainest  and  cheapest  con- 
struction. Against  the  walk  were  hung  a  few  specimens  of 
needlework  and  drawing,  the  former  executed  with  great  neat- 
ness, though  of  somewfcat  equivocal  merit  in  their  designs,  while 
the  latter  were  strikingly  deficient  in  both. 

One  of  the  former  represented  a  tomb,  with  a  youthful  feraale 
weeping  over  it,  exhibiting  a  church  with  arched  windows  In 
the  background.  On  the  tomb  were  the  names,  with  the  dates 
of  the  births  and  deaths  of  several  individuals,  all  of  whom  bore 
the  name  of  Grant  An  extremely  cursory  glance  at  this  record 


Ill  TEE  PIONEERS. 

was  sufficient  to  discover  to  the  young  hunter  the  domestic  stete 
of  the  divine.  He  there  read  that  he  was  a  widower,  and  that 
the  innocent  and  timid  maiden,  who  had  been  his  companion, 
was  the  only  survivor  of  six  children.  The.  knowledge  of  the 
dependence  which  each  of  these  meek  Christians  had  on  the 
other  for  happiness  threw  an  additional  charm  around  the 
gentle  but  kind  attentions  which  the  daughter  paid  to  tho 
father. 

These  observations  occurred  while  the  party  were  seating 
themselves  before  the  cheerful  fire,  during  which  time  there 
was  a  suspension  of  discourse.  But  when  each  was  comfortably 
arranged,  and  Louisa,  after  laying  aside  a  thin  coat  of  faded  silk, 
and  a  gipsy  hat,  that  was  more  becoming  to  her  modest,  ingenu- 
ous countenance  than  appropriate  to  the  season,  had  taken  a 
chair  between  her  father  and  the  youth,  the  former  resumed  the 
conversation. 

"  I  trust,  my  young  friend,"  he  said,  "  that  the  education  you 
have  received  has  eradicated  most  of  those  revengeful  principles 
which  you  may  have  inherited  by  descent;  for  I  understand 
from  tae  expressions  of  John  that  you  have  some  of  the  blood 
of  the  Delaware  tribe.  Do  not  mistake  me,  I  beg,  for  it  is 
not  colour,  nor  lineage,  that  constitutes  merit ;  and  I  know  not 
that  he  who  claims  affinity  to  the  proper  owners  of  this  soil, 
has  not  the  best  right  to  tread  these  hills  with  the  lightest 
conscience." 

Mohegan  turned  solemnly  to  the  speaker,  and,  with  the 
peculiarly  significant  gestures  of  an  Indian,  he  spoke, — 

"  Father,  you  are  not  yet  passed  the  summer  of  life ;"  your 
limbs  are  young.  Go  to  the  highest  hill,  and  look  around  you. 
All  that  you  see  from  the  rising  to  the  setting  sun,  from  the 
head  waters  of  the  great  spring,  to  where  the  '  crooked  river '  *  is 
hid  by  the  hills,  is  nis.  He  has  Delaware  blood,  and  his  right 
is  strong.  But  the  brother  of  Miquon  is  just :  he  will  cut  the 
country  in  two  parts,  as  the  river  cuts  the  lowlands,  and  will 
say  to  the  '  Young  Eagle,'  Child  of  the  Dela wares  !  take  it — 
keep  it — and  be  a  chief  in  the  land  of  your  fathers." 

"  Never ! "  exclaimed  the  young  hunter,  with  a  vehemence 
that  destroyed  the  rapt  attention  with  which  the  divine  and  his 
daughter  were  listening  to  the  Indian.  "  The  wolf  of  the  forest 
is  not  more  rapacious  for  his  prey  than  that  man  is  greedy  of 
gold ;  and  yet  his  glidings  into  wealth  are  subtle  as  the  move- 
ments of  a  serpent" 

"Forbear,  forbear,  iny  son,  forbear,,"  interrupted  Mr.  Grant 
"  These  angry  passions  must  be  subdued.  The  accidental  injury 

i  The  Soaquehanna  means  crooked  river :  "  hannah,"  or  bannock,  meant 
"  river,"  in  many  of  the  native  dialects.  Thus  we  find  Bappehannock,  as  far 
south  a*  Virginia. 


THZ  PIONEERS.  113 

you  have  received  from  Judge  Temple  has  heightened  the  sense 
of  your  hereditary  wrongs.  But  remember  that  the  one  was 
unintentional,  and  that  the  other  is  the  effect  of  political  changes, 
which  have,  in  their  course,  greatly  lowered  the  pride  of  kings, 
and  swept  mighty  nations  from  the  face  of  the  earth.  Where 
now  are  the  Philistines,  who  so  often  held  the  children  of  Israel 
in  bondage  ?  or  that  city  of  Babylon  which  rioted  in  luxury  and 
vice,  and  who  styled  herself  the  Queen  of  Nations  in  the 
drunkenness  of  her  pride  ?  Remember  the  prayer  of  our  holy 
litany,  where  we  implore  the  Divine  Power— '  that  it  may  pleate 
Thee  to  forgive  our  enemies,  persecutors,  and  slanderers,  and  to 
turn  their  hearts.'  The  sin  of  the  wrongs  which,  have  been  done 
to  the  natives  is  shared  by  Judge  Temple  only  in  common  with 
a  whole  people,  and  your  arm  will  speedily  be  restored  to  ita 
strength. 

"This arm!"  repeated  the  youth,  pacing  the  floor  in  violent 
agitation.  "  Think  you,  sir,  that  I  believe  the  man  a  murderer  ? 
— Oh,  no  1  he  is  too  wily,  too  cowardly  for  such  a  crime.  But 
let  him  and  his  daughter  not  in  their  wealth — a  day  of  retri- 
bution will  come.  No,  no,  no,"  he  continued,  as  he  trod  the 
floor  more  calmly — "it  is  for  Mohegan  to  suspect  him  of  an 
intent  to  injure  me  :  but  the  trifle  i->  not  worth  a  second 
thought." 

He  seated  himself,  and  hid  his  face  between  his  hands,  as  they 
rested  on  his  knees. 

"  It  is  the  hereditary  violence  of  a  native's  passion,  my  child," 
said  Mr  Grant  in  a  low  tone,  to  his  affrighted  daughter,  who 
was  clinging  in  terror  to  his  arm.  "  He  is  mixed  with  the  blood 
of  the  Indians,  you  have  heard  ;  and  neither  the  refinements  of 
education,  nor  the  advantages  of  our  excellent  liturgy,  have  been 
able  entirely  to^radicate  the  evil.  But  care  and  time  will  do 
much  for  him  yet." 

Although  the  divine  spoke  in  a  low  tone,  yet  what  he  uttered 
was  heard  by  the  youth,  who  raised  his  head  with  a  smile  of 
indefinite  expression,  and  spoke  more  calmly. 

"  Be  not  alarmed,  Miss  Grant,  at  either  the  wildness  of  my 
manner  or  that  of  my  dress.  I  have  been  carried  away  by 
passions  that  I  should  struggle  to  repress.  I  must  attribute  it, 
with  your  father,  to  the  blood  in  my  veins,  although  I  would  not 
impeach  my  lineage  willingly ;  for  it  is  all  that  is  left  me  to 
boast  of.  Yes !  I  am  proud  of  my  descent  from  a  Delaware 
chief,  who  was  a  warrior  that  ennobled  human  nature!  Old 
Mohegan  was  his  friend,  and  will  vouch  for  his  virtues." 

Mr.  Grant  here  took  up  the  discourse,  and,  finding  the  young 
man  more  calm,  and  the  aged  chief  attentive,  he  entered  into  a 
full  and  theological  discussion  of  the  duty  of  forgiveness.  The 
conversation  lasted  for  more  than  an  hour,  when  the  visitor* 


1 1 4  THK  PIONEEKS. 

erose,  and,  after  exchanging  good  wishes  with  theio  entertainers, 
they  departed.  At  the  door  they  separated,  Mohegan  taking  the 
direct  route  to  the  village,  while  the  youth  moved  toVvardd  the 
lake.  The  divine  btood  at  the  entrance  of  his  dwelling  regard- 
ing-the  figure  of  the  aged  chief  as  it  glided,  at  an.  astonishing 
gait  for  his  years,  along  the  deep  path;  his  black,  straight  hair 
just  visible  over  the  bundle  formed  by  his  blanket,  which  was 
sometimes  blended  with  the  snow,  under  the  silvery  light  of  the 
moon  From  the  rear  of  the  house  was  a  window,  thafc  over- 
looked thu  lake  ;  and  here  Louisa  was  found  by  her  father. 
when  he  entered,  gazing  intently  on  some  object  in  the  direction 
of  the  eastern  mountain. "  He  approached  the  spot,  and  saw  the 
figure  of  tho  young  hunter,  at  the  distance  of  half  °«  mile,  walking 
with  prodigious  steps  across  the  wide  fields  of  frozen  snow,  that 
covered  the  ice,  towards  the  point  where  he  knew  the  hut 
inhabited  by  the  Leather-stocking  was  situated  on  the  margia 
of  the  lake,  under  a  rock,  that  was  crowned  by  pines  and  hem- 
locks. At  the  next  instant  the  wildly-looking  form  entered 
the  shadow  cast  from  the  overhanging  trees,  and  was  lost  to 
view 

"  Tt  is  marvellous  how  long  the  propensities  of  the  savagt 
continue  in  that  remarkable  race,"  saio.  the  good  divine  ;  "  but  ii 
he  persevere  as  he  has  commenced,  his  triumph  shall  yet  be 
complete.  Put  me  in  mind,  Louisa,  to  lend  him  the  homily 
'  against  peril  of  idolatry'  at  his  next  visit." 

"  Surely,  father,  you  do  not  think  him  in  danger  of  relapsing 
into  the  worship  of  his  ancestors  1 " 

"No,  my  child,"  returned  the  clergyman,  laying  his  hand 
r: Teclion\tely  on  her  flaxen  locks,  and  smiling;  "his  white 
Mood  would  prevent  it ;  but  there  is  such  a  thing  as  the  idolatry 
of  our  passions." 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

And  I'H  drink  oat  of  the  quart  pot, — 
Here's  a  healta  to  the  barley  mow. 

Drinking  Song* 

ON  one  of  the  corners  where  the  two  principal  streets  of  Temple- 
ton  intersected  each  other,  stood,  as  we  have  already  mentioned, 
the  inn  called  the  "Bold  Dragoon."  In  the  original  plan  it 
was  ordained  that  the  village  would  stretch  along  the  littla 
stream  that  rushed  down  the  valley,  and  the  street  which  led 
from  the  kke  to  the  academy  was  intended  to  be  its  western 
boundary.  But  convenience  frequently  frustrates  the  best 
regulated  plans.  The  house  of  Mr.,  or  as,  in  consequence  of 
commanding  the  militia  of  that  vicinity,  he  was  called,  Captain 
Hollister,  had,  at  an  early  day,  been  erected  directly  facing  the 
main  street,  and  ostensibly  interposed  a  barrier  to  its  further 
progress.  Horsemen,  and  subsequently  teamsters,  however, 
availed  themselves  of  an  opening,  at  the  end  of  the  building,  to 
shorten  their  passage  westward,  until,  in  time,  the  regular  high- 
way was  laid  out  along  this  course,  and  houses  were  gradually 
built  on  either  side,  so  as  effectually  to  prevent  any  subsequent 
correction  of  the  evil. 

Two  material  consequences  followed  this  change  in  the  regular 
plans  of  Marmaduke.  The  main  street,  after  rinning  about 
half  its  length,  was  suddenly  reduced  to  precisely  that  differ- 
ence in  its  width  :  and  the  "  Bold  Dragoon "  became,  next  to 
the  Mansion-house,  by  far  the  most  conspicuous  edifice  in  the 
place. 

This  conspicuousness,  aided  by  the  characters  of  the  host  and 
hostess,  gave  the  tavern  an  advantage  over  all  its  future  com- 
petitors that  no  circumstances  could  conquer. — An  effort  was, 
however,  made  to  do  so ;  and  at  the  corner  diagonally  opposite 
stood  a  new  building,  that  was  intended  by  its  occupants  to  look 
doirn  all  opposition.  It  was  a  house  of  wood,  ornamented  in 
the  prevailing  style  of  architecture,  and,  about  the  roof  and 
balustrades,  was  one  of  the  three  imitators  of  the  Mansion-house, 
The  upper  windows  ~were  filled  with  rough  boards,  secured  by 
nails,  to  keep  out  the  cold  air ;  for  the  edifice  was  far  from 
finished,  although  glass  was  to  be  seen  in  the  lower  apartments, 


110  TEE  PIONEERS. 

and  the  light  of  the  powerful  fires  within  denoted  that  It  waa 
already  inhabited.  The  exterior  waa  painted  white  on  the  front 
and  on  the  end  which  was  exposed  to  the  street ;  but  in  the  rear, 
and  on  the  side  which  was  intended  to  join  the  neighbouring 
house,  it  was  coarsely  smeared  with  Spanish  brown.  Before  the 
door  stood  two  lofty  posts,  connected  at  the  top  by  a  beam,  from 
which  was  suspended  an  enormous  sign,  ornamented  around  its 
edges  with  certain  curious  carvings  in  pine  boards,  and  on  ita 
facea  loaded  with  masonic  emblems.  Over  these  mysterious 
figures  was  written,  in  large  letters,  "The  Templeton  Coffee- 
House,  and  Travellers'  Hotel," and  beneath  them,  "By  Habakkuk 
Foote  and  Joshua  Knapp."  This  was  a  fearful  rival  to  the 
"  Bold  Dragoon,"  as  our  readers  will  the  more  readily  perceive, 
when  we  add,  that  the  same  sonorous  names  were  to  be  seen  over 
the  door  of  a  newly  erected  store  in  the  village,  a  hatter's  shop, 
and  the  gates  of  a  tanyard.  But,  either  because  too  much  was 
attempted  to  be  executed  well,  or  that  the  "  Bold  Dragoon "  had 
established  a  reputation  which  could  not  easily  be  shaken,  not 
only  Judge  Temple  and  his  friends,  but  most  of  the  villagers 
also,  who  were  not  in  debt  to  thepowerful  firm  we  have  named, 
frequented  the  inn  of  Captain  Hollister  on  all  occasions  where 
such  a  house  was  necessary. 

On  the  present  evening,  the  limping  veteran  and  his  consort 
were  hardly  housed,  after  their  return  from  the  academy,  when 
the  sounds  of  stamping  feet  at  their  threshold  announced  the 
approach  of  visitors,  who  were  probably  assembling  with  a 
view  to  compare  opinions  on  the  subject  of  the  ceremonies  they 
had  witnessed. 

The  public,  or,  as  it  was  called,  the  "  bar-room,"  of  the  "  Bold 
Dragoon,"  was  a  spacious  apartment,  lined  on  three  sides  with 
benches,  and  on  the  fourth  by  fireplaces.  Of  the  latter  there 
were  two,  of  such  size  as  to  occupy,  with  their  enormous  jambs, 
the  whole  of  that  side  of  the  apartment  wiere  they  were  placed, 
excepting  room  enough  for  a  door  or  two,  and  a  little  apartment 
in  one  corner,  which  was  protected  by  miniature  palisadoes,  and 
profusely  garnished  with  bottles  and  glasses.  In  the  entrance 
to  this  sanctuary,  Mrs.  Hollister  was  seated  with  great  gravity 
in  her  air,  while  her  husband  occupied  himself  with  stirring  the 
fires ;  moving  the  logs  with  a  large  stake,  burnt  to  a  point  at 
one  end. 

"There,  Sargeant  dear,"  said  the  landlady,  after  she  thought 
the  veteran  had  got  the  logs  arranged  in  the  most  judicious 
manner,  "  give  over  poking,  for  it's  no  good  yell  be  doing,  now 
that  they  burn  so  convaniently. — There's  the  glasses  on  the  table 
there,  and  the  mug  that  the  Doctor  was  taking  his  cider  and 
ginger  in,  before  the  fire  here, — just  put  them  in  the  bar,  will 
ye?  for  we'll  be  having  the'Jooge,  and  the  Major,  and  Mr.  Jones 


THE  PIONEERS.  117 

down  (he  night,  widout  reckoning  Benjamin  Poomp  and  the 
lawyers :  so  ye'll  be  fixing  the  room  tidy ;  and  put  both  flip 
irons  in  the  coals  ;  and  tell  Jude,  the  lazy,  black  baste,  that  if 
she's  no  be  claneing  up  the  kitchen  I'll  turn  her  out  of  the 
house,  and  she  may  live  wid  the  jontlemen  that  kape  the 
'  Coffee-house,'  good  luck  to  'em.  Och !  Sargeant,  sure  it's  a 
great  privilege  to  go  to  a  mateing,  where  a  body  can  sit  asy, 
widout  jooiuping  up  and  down  so  often,  as  this  Mr.  Grant  is 
doing  that  same." 

"  it's  a  privilege  at  all  times,  Mrs.  Hollister,  whether  we  stand 
or  be  seated  ;  or,  as  good  Mr.  Whitefield  used  to  do,  after  he  had 
made  a  wearisome,  day's  march,  get  on  our  knees  and  pray,  like 
Moses  of  old",  with  a  flanker  to  the  right  and  left,  to  lift  his  hands 
to  heaven,"  returned  her  husband,  who  composedly  performed 
what  she  had  directed  to  be  done.  "  It  was  a  very  pretty  fight, 
Betty,  that  the  Israelites  had  on  that  day  with  the  Amalekites. 
It  seems  that  they  font  on  a  plain,  for  Moses  is  mentioned  as 
having  gone  on  to  the  heights  to  overlook  the  battle,  and  wrestle 
in  prayer  ;  and  if  I  should  judge,  with  my  little  laming,  the 
Israelites  depended  mainly  on  their  horse,  for  it  is  written,  that 
Joshua  cut  up  the  enemy  with  the  edge  of  the  sword ;  from  which 
I  infer,  not  only  that  they  were. horse,  but  well  disciplyn'd 
troops.  Indeed,  it  says  as  much  as  that  they  were  chosen  men  ; 
quite  likely  volunteers  ;  for  raw  dragoons  seldom  strike  with 
the  edge  of  their  swords,  particularly  if  the  weapon  be  any  way 
crooked." 

"  Pshaw  !  why  do  ye  bother  yourself  wid  taxts,  man,  about  so 
small  a  matter  ? "  interrupted  the  landlady  ;  "  sure  it  was  the 
Lord  who  was  wid  'em ;  for  He  always  sided  wid  the  Jews 
before  they  fell  away ;  and  it's  but  little  matter  what  kind  of 
men  Joshua  commanded,  EO  that  he  was  doing  the  right  bidding. 
Aven  them  cursed  millaishy,  the  Lord  forgive  me  for  swearing, 
that  was  the  death  of  him,  wid  their  cowardice,  would  have 
carried  the  day  in  old  times.  There's  no  rason  to  be  thinking 
that  the  soldiers  was  used  to  the  drill." 

"  I  must  say,  Mrs.  Hollister,  that  I  have  not  often  seen  raw 
troops  fight  better  than  the  left  flank  of  the  militia  at  the  time 
you  mention.  They  rallied  handsomely,  and  that  without  beat 
of  drum,  which  is  no  easy  thing  to  do  under  fire,  and  were  very 
steady  till  he  fell.  But  the  Scriptures  contain  no  unnecessary 
words  ;  and  I  will  maintain  that  norse  who  know  how  to  strike 
with  the  edge  of  the  sword  must  be  well  disciplyn'd.  Manv  a 
good  sarmon  has  been  preached  about  smaller  matters  than  that 
one  word !  If  the  text  was  not  meant  to  be  particular,  why 
wasn't  it  written  with  the  sword,  and  not  with  the  edge  ?  Now; 
a  back-handed  stroke  on  the  edge  takes  long  practice.  Goodness . 
what  an  argument  would  Mr.  Whitefield  make  of  that  word 

I 


118  THE  PIONEERS. 

edge  I  As  to  the  Captain,  if  he  had  only  .called  up  the  guard  of 
dragoons  when  he  rallied  the  foot,  they  would  have  shown  the 
iniuiy  what  the  edge  of  a  sword  was  ;  for,  although  there  was  no 
commissioned  officer  with  them,  yet  I  think  I  may  say" — the 
veteran  continued,  stiffening  his  cravat  about  the  throat,  and 
raising  himself  up  with  the  air  of  a  drill-sergeant — "  they  'were 
led  by  a  man  who  know'd  how  to  bring  them  on  in  spit"  of  the 
ravine." 

"  Is  it  lade  on  ye  would  ?  *  cried  the  landlady,  "  when  ye  know 
yourself,  Mr.  Holhster,  that  the  baste  he  rode  was  but  little  able 
to  joomp  from,  one  rock  to  another,  and  the  animal  was  as  spry 
as  a  squirrel  ?  Och !  but  it's  useless  to  talk,  for  he's  gone  this 
•many  a  year.  I  would  that  he  had  lived  to  see  the  true  light ; 
but  there's  mercy  for  a  brave  sowl  that  died  in  the  saddle, 
fighting  for  the  liberty.  It's  a  poor  tombstone  they  have  given 
him,  any  way,  and  many  a  good  one  that  died  like  himself ;  but 
the  (Ago.  is  very  like,  and  I  will  be  kupeing  it  up,  wliile  the 
blacksmith  can  make  a  hook  for  it  to  swing  on,  for  all  the '  coffee- 
houses'  betwane  this  and  Albany." 

There  is  no*  saying  where  this  desultory  conversation  would 
have  led  the  worthy  couple,  had  not  the  men,  who  were  stamp- 
ing the  snow  off  their  feet  on  the  little  platform  before  the  door, 
suddenly  ceased  their  occupation,  and  entered  the  bar-room. 

For  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  the  different  individuals  who 
intended  either  to  bestow  or  receive  edification  before  the  fires 
of  the  "Bold  Dragoon"  on  thsi  tvening  were  collecting,  until  the 
benches  were  nearly  filled  with  men  of  different  occupations. 
Dr.  Todd  and  a  slovenly-looking,  shabby  genteel  young  man, 
who  took  tobacco  profusely,  wore  a  coat  of  imported  cloth,  cut 
with  something  like  a  fashionable  air,  frequently  exhibited  a 
large  French  silver  watch,  with  a  chain  of  woven  hair  and  a 
silver  key,  and  who,  altogether,  seemed  as  much  above  the 
artisans  around  him  as  .he  was  .himself  inferior  to  the  real 
gentlemen, — occupied  a  high  back  wooden  settee  in  the  most 
comfortable  corner  in  the  apartment. 

Sundry  brown  mugs  containing  cider  or  beer  were  placed 
between  the  heavy  andirons,  ana  little  groups  were  formed 
among  the  guests,  as  subjects  arose,  or  the  liquor  was  passed 
from  one  to  the  other.  ]So  man  was  seen  to  drink  by  himself, 
nor  in  any  instance  was  more  than  one  vessel  considered  necessary 
for  the  same  beverage ;  but  the  class  or  the  inng  was  pa.4ed  from 
hand  to  hand,  until  a  chasm  in  the  line,  or  a  regard  to  the  rights 
of  ownership,  would  regularly  restore  the  dregs  of  the  potation  to 
him  who  defrayed  the  cost 

Toa»ts  were  uniformly  drunk  ;  and  occasionally  some  one  who 
conceived  himself  peculiarly  endowed  by  nature  to  shine  in  the 
way  of  wit/woulJ  attempt  gome  audx  sentiment  a*  "hoping  that 


THE  PIONEER. 

he"  who  treated  "might  make  a  better  man  than  Ins  father  ,;> 
or,  "live  till  all  his  friends  wished  him  dead  ;"  while  the  more 
humble  pot-companion  contented  himself  by  saving,  with  a  most 
imposing  gravity  in  his  air,  "  Come,  here's  luck,  or  by  expressing 
some  other  equally  comprehensive  desire.  In  every  instance  the 
veteran  landlord  was  requested  to  imitate  the  custom  of  the 
cv.p-bearers  -to  kings,  and  taste  the  liquor  he  presented,  by  the 
invitation  of  "after  you  is  manneiv  with  which  request  he 
ordinarily  complied  by  wetting  his  lips,  first  expressing  the  wish 
of  "here's  hoping,"  leaving  it  to  the  imagination  of  the  hearers 
to  fill  the  vacuum  by  whatever  good  each  thought  most  desirable. 
Dtvdng  these  movements  the  landlady  was  busily  occupied  with' 
mixing  the  various  compounds  required  by  her  customers  with 
her  own  hands,  and  occasionally  exchanging  greetings  and  in- 
quiries concerning  the  conditions  of  their  respective  families 
with  such  of  the  villagers  as  approached  the  bar. 

At  length  the  common  thirst  being  in  some  measure  assuaged, 
conversation  of  a  more  general  nature  became  the  order  of  the 
hour.  The  physician  and  his  companion,  who  was  one  of  the 
two  lawyers  of  the  village,  being  considered  the  best  qualified 
to  maintain  a  public  discourse  with  credit,  were  the  principal 
speakers,  though  a  remark  was  hazarded  now  and  then  by  ilr. 
Doolittle,  who  was  thought  to  be  their  inferior  only  in  the 
enviable  point  of  education.  A  general  silence  was  produced  on 
all  but  the  two  speakers  by  the  following  observation  from  the 
practitioner  of  the  law  : —  9 

"So,  Dr.  Todd,  I  understand  that  you  have  been  perform- 
ing an  important  operation  this  evening,  by  cutting  a  charge 
of  buckshot  "from  the  shoulder  of  the  son  of  Leather- 
stocking  ? " 

"  Yes,  sir,"  returned  the  other,  elevating  his  little  head  with 
au  air  of  importance.  "  I  had  a  small  job  up  at  the  Judge's  in 
that  way ;  it  was,  however,  but  a  trifle  to  what  it  might  hav» 
been,  had  it  gone  through  the  body.  The  shoulder  is  not  a  very 
vital  part ;  and  I  think  the  young  man  will  soon  be  well.  But 
I  did  not  know  that  the  patient  was  a  son  of  Leather-stocking : 
ifc  is  news  to  me  to  hear  that  Natty  had  a  wife." 

"It  is  by  no  means  a  necessary  consequence,"  returned  the 
other,  winking,  with  a  shrewd  look  around  the  bar  -  room  ; 
"  there  is  such  a  thing,  I  suppose  you  know,  in  law,  as  a  '  filiua 
nuUius.'" 

"  Spake  it  out,  man,"  exclaimed  the  landlady  ;  "  spake  it  out 
in  king's  -English ;  what  for  should  ye  be  talking  Indian  in  a 
room  full  of  Christian  folks,  though  it  is  about  a  poor  hunter, 
who  is  but  a  little  better  in  his  ways  than  the  wild  savages  them- 
selves 1  Och  I  if  s  to  be  hoped  that  the  missionaries  will,  in  his 
own  time,  make  a  convarsion  of  the  poor  divils ;  and  then  it  will 


120     ^  THE  PIONEER 

matter  little  of  what  colour  is  the  skin,  or  wedder  there 
or  hair  on  the  head." 

"  Oh  !  it  is  Latin,  not  Indian,  Miss  Hollister,"  returned  the 
la \vyer,' repeating  his  winks  and  shrewd  looks;  "and  Dr.  Todd 
understands  Latin,  or  how  would  he  read  the  labels  on  his  galli- 
pots and  drawers?  No,  no,  Miss  Hollister,  the  Doctor  under- 
stands me  ;  don't  you,  Doctor?" 

"  Hem— why,  I  guess  I  am  not  far  out  of  the  way,"  returned 
Elnathan,  endeavouring  to  imitate  the  expression  of  the  other's 
countenance  by  looking  jocular;  "Latin  is  a  queer  language, 
gentlemen.  Now  I  rather  gue'ss  there  is  no  one  in  the  room 
except  Squi^  Lippet  who  can  believe  that  'Far.  Av.'  means 
oatmeal  in  English. 

The  lawyer  in  his  turn  was  a  good  deal  embarrassed  by  this 
display  of  learning  ;  for,  although  be  actually  had  taken  bis  first 
degree  at  one  of  tke  eastern  universities,  he  was  somewhat 
puzzled  with  the  terms  used  by  his  companion.  It  was  danger- 
ou«,  however,  to  appear  to  be  outdone  in  learning  in  a  public 
bar-room,  and  before  so  many  of  his  clients ;  JIG  therefore  put 
the  best  foce  on  the  matter,  and  laughed  knowingly,  as  if  there 
were  a  good  joke  concealed  under  it,  that  was  understood  only 
by  the  physician  and  himself.  All  this  was  attentively  observed 
by  the  listeners,  who  exchanged  looks  oC  approbation ;  and  the 
expressions  of  "  tonguey  man,"  and  "  I  guess  Squire  Lippet 
knov/s,  if  anybody  doos/'  were  heard  in  different  parts  of  tha 
room,  as  vouchers  for  the  i-imi  ration  of  his  auditors.  Thus 
encouraged,  the  lawyer  rose  i.- orn  his  chair,  and  turning  his  back 
to  the  fire,  facing  the  company,  he  continued, — 

"  The  son  of  Natty,  or  the  son  of  nobody?  I  hope  the  young 
man  is  not  going  to  let  the  matter  drop.  This  is  a  country  of 
laws ;  and  I  should  like  to  sae  it  fairly  tried,  whether  a  man 
who  owns,  or  says  he  owns,  a  hundred  thousand  acres  of  land  has 
any  more  right  to  shoot -a  body  than  another.  What  do  you 
think  of  it,  Dr.  Todd?" 

"  Oh  1  sir,  I  am  of  opinion  that  the  gentleman  will  soon  be 
*vell,  as  I  said  before ;  the  wound  isn't  in  a  vital  part ;  and  as 
the  ball  was  extracted  so  .soon,  and  the  shoulder  was  what  I  call 
'.veil  attended  to,  I  do  not  think  there  is  as  much  danger  as  there 
might  have  been." 

I' I  say,  Squire  Doolittle,"  continued  the  attorney,  raising  his 
voice,  "you  are  a  magistrate,  and  know  what  is  law,  and  what  is 
not  lavr.  I  ask  you,  sir,  if  shooting  a  man  is  a  thing  that  is  to 
be  settled  so  very  easily  ?  Suppose,  sir,  that  the  young  man  had 
a  wife  and  family ;  and  suppose  that  he  was  a  mechanic  like 
yourself,  sir ;  and  suppose  that  his  family  depended  on  him  for 
bread :  and  suppose  that  the  ball,  instead  of  merely  going 
through  the  flesh,  had  broken  the  shoulder-blade,  and  crippled 


up, 
the 


SHE  PIONEERS.  H\ 

him  foy  ever ;  1  ask  you  all,  gentlemen,  supposing  this  to  be 
the  casg,  whether  the  jury  wouldn't  give  what  I  call  handsome 
damages  ? " 

As  the  close  of  this  supposititious  case  was  addressed  to  the 
company  generally,  Hirani  did  not  at  first  consider  himself 
called  on  lor  a  reply  ;  but  finding  the  eyes  of  the  listeners  bent 
on  him  in  expectation,  he  remembered  his  character  for  judicial 
riiscriminatioa,  and  spoke,  observing  a  due  degree  of  deliberation 
•md  dignity. 

"Wbr,  if  a  man  should  shoot  another,"  he  said,  "and  if  hi1 
•.hould  do  it  on  purpose,  and  if  the  law  took  notice  on't,  and  if  a 
jury  should  find  him  guilty,  it  would  be  likely  to  turn  out  a 
State  prison  matter." 

•'  It  would  EO,  sir,"  returned  the  attorney.  n  The  law,  gentle- 
men, is  no  respecter  of  persons  in  a  free  country.  It  is  one  of 
the  great  blessings  that  has  been  handed  down  to  us  from  our 
ancestors,  that  all  men  are  equal  in  the  eye  of  the  law  as  they  are 
by  nater.  Though  some  may  get  property,  no  one  knows  how, 
yet  they  are  not  privileged  to  transgress  the  laws  any  more  than 
the  poorest  citizen  in  the  State.  This  is  my  notion,  gentlemen  ; 
and  I  think  that  if  a  man  had  a  naind  to  bring  this  matter  uj 
something  might  be  made  out  of  it  that  would  help  pay  for 
salve — ha  I  Doctor  ? " 

"Why,  sir,"  returned  the  physician,  wh»  appeared  a  little 
uneasy  at  the  turn  the  conversation  was  taking,  "I  have  the 
promise  of  Judge  Temple  before  men — not  but  what  I  would 
take  his  word  as  soon  as  his  note  of  hand — but  it  was  before 
men.  Let  me  see — there  was  Moun shier  Ler  Quow,  and  Squire 
Jones,  and  Major  Hartmann,  and  Miss  Pettibone,  and  one  or  two 
of  the  blacks  by,  when  he  said  that  his  pocket  would  amply 
reward  me  for  what  I  did." 

"Was  the  promise  made  before  or  after  the  service  was  per- 
formed ? "  asked  the  attorney. 

"  It  might  have  been  both,'  returned  the  discreet  physician  ; 
"  though  I'm  certain  he  said  so  before  I  undertook  the  dressing." 

"But  it  seems  that  he  eaid  his  pocket  should  reward  you, 
Doctor,"  observed  Hiram.  ''  Now,  I  don't  know  that  the  law 
will  hold  a  man  to-  such  a  promise ;  he  might  give  you  his 
pocket  with  sixpence  in't,  and  tell  you  to  take  your  pay  out 
oa't." 

^  "  That  would  not  be  a  reward  in  the  eye  of  the  law,"  interrupted 
the  attorney — "not  what  is  called  a  'quid  pro  quo  ;'  nor  is  the 
pocket  to  be  considered  as  an  agent,  but  as  part  of  a  man's  own 
person,  that  is,  in  this  particular.  I  am  of  opinion  'that  an 
action  would  lie  on  that  promise,  and  I  will  undertake  to  bear 
him  out  free  of  ^osts  if  he  don't  recover  " 

io  iliis  pjUjjosition  the  physician  made  no  reply  ;  but  he  was 


Itt  THE  PIONEERS. 

observed  to  cast  his  eyed  around  him,  as  if  to  enumerate  the 
witnesses,  in  order  to  biibstautiate  this  promise  also,  at  a  future 
day,  should  it  prove  necessary.  A  subject  so  momentous  as  that 
of  suing  Judge  Temple  was  not  very  palatable  to  the  present 
company  iu  so  public  a  place  ;  and  a  short  tdlence  ensued,  that 
was  only  interrupted  by  the  opening  of  the  door,  and  the  entrance 
of  Natty  himself. 

The  old  hunter  carried  in  his  hand  his  never-failing  com- 
panion, the  rifle  ;  and  although  all  of  the  company  were  uncovered, 
excepting  the  lawyer,  who  wore  his  hat-  on  one  side  with  a 
certain  dam'me  air,  Xatty  moved  to  the  front  of  one  of  the  fires, 
without  in  the  leaot  altering  any  part  of  his  dress  or  appearance. 
Several  questions  were  addressed  to  him,  on  the  subject  of  the 
garcffe  he  had  killed,  which  he  answered  readily,  and  with  some 
little  interest  ;  and  the  landlord,  between  whom  and  Natty  there 
existed  much  cordiality,  on  account  of  their  both  having  been 
soldiers  in  youth,  offered  him  a  glass  of  a  liquid,  which,  if  we 
might  judge  from  its  reception,  was  no  unwelcome  guest.  When 
the  forester  had  gotten  his  potation  also,  he  quietly  took  his  seat 
on  the  end  of  one  of  the  logs,  that  lay  nigh  the  fires,  and  the 
slight  interruption  produced  by  his  entrance  seemed  to  be  for- 
gotten. 

"  The  testimony  of  the  blacks  could  not  be  taken,  sir,"  con- 
tinued the  lawyer,  "for  they  are  all  the  property  of  Mr.  Jones, 
who  t)wns  their  time.  But  there  is  a  way  by  which  Judge 
Temple,  or  any  other  man,  might  be  made  to  pay  for  shooting 
another,  and  for  the  cure  in  the  bargain.  —  There  is  a  way, 
[  say,  and  that  without  going  into  the  '  court  of  errors ' 
too." 

"  And  a  mighty  big  error  ye  would  make  of  it,  Mister  Todd," 
cried  the  landlady,  "  should  ye  be  putting  the  matter  into  ihe 
law  at  all,  with  Joodge  Temple,  who  has  a  purse  as  long  as  one 
of  them  pines  on  the  hill,  and  who  is  an  asy  man  to  dale  \vid,  if 
yees  but  mind  the  humour  of  him.  He's  a  good  man  is  Joodge 
Temple,  and  a  kind  one,  and  one  who  will  be  no  the  likelier  tc 
do  the  pratty  thing,  bekaase  ye  would  wish  to  tarrify  him  wid 
the  law.  I  know  of  but  one  objaction  to  the  same,  which  ii<  an 
over  carelessness  about  his  sowl.  It's  neither  a  Methodic,  w<  r  a 
Papish,  nor  Prasbetyrian,  that  he  is,  but  just  nothing  at  all ;  and 
it's  hard  to  think  that  he,  '  who  will  not  fight  the  good  fi^ht, 
under  the  banners  of  a  rig'lar  church,  in  this  world,  will  be 
mustered  among  the  chosen  in  heaven,'  as  my  husband,  ilie 
captain  there,  as  ye  call  him,  says — though  there  is  but  one 
captain  that  I  know,  who  desaarves  the  name.  I  hopes,  Lather- 
stocking,  ye'll  no  be  foolish,  and  putting  the 'boy  up  to  try  the 
law  in  the  matter ;  for  'twill  be  an  evil  day  to  ye  both  when  ye 
first  turn  the  skin  of  so  paceable  an  animal  as  a  sheep  into  a  bona 


THE  PIONEEPS.  123 

->r  contention.    The  lad  is  wilcome  to  his  drink  for  nothing  until 
ais  shouther  will  hear  the  rifle  ag'in/ 

"Well,  that's  gin'rous,"  was  heaid  from  several  mouths  at  once, 
for  this  was  a  company  in  which  a  liberal  offer  was  not  thiown 
away  ;  while  the  hunter,  instead  of  expressing  any  of  that 
indignation  which  he  might  be  supposed  to  feel,  at  hearing  the 
hurt  of  his  young  companion  alluded  to,  opened  his  mouth,  with 
the  silent  laugh  for  which  he  was  so  remarkable ;  and  after  he 
had  indulged  his  humour  made  this  reply  • — 

"  I  knowM  the  Judge  would  do  nothing  with  his  smooth-bore, 
when  he  got  out  of  his  sleigh.  I  never  saw  but  one  smooth-bore 
that  would  carry  at  all,  and  that  was  a  French  ducking-piece, 
upon  the  big  lakes  :  it  had  a  barrel  half  as  long  ag*in  as  my  rifle, 
and  would  throw  fine  shot  int^  a  goose,  at  100  yards ;  but  it 
made  dieadful  work  with  the  game,  and  you  wanted  a  boat  to 
i  arry  it  about  in.  When  I  went  with  Sir  William  ag'in  the 
French,  at  Fort  Niagara,  all  the  rangers  used  the  rifle  ;  and  a 
dreadful  weapon  it  is  in  the  hands  of  one  who  knows  how  to 
<  harge  it,  and  keep  a  steady  aim.  The  Captain  knows,  for  he  says 
lie  was  a  soldier  in  Shirley's  ;  and  though  they  were  nothing  but 
Ijaggonet-rnen,  ha  must  know  how  we  cut  up  the  French  and 
Croqnois  in  the  skrimmage?  in  that  war  Chingachgook,  which 
means  'Big  Sarpent'  in  English,  old  John  Mohegan,  who  lives 
up  at  the  nut  with  me,  vas  a  great  warrior  then,  and  was  out 
with  us ;  he  can  tell  all  about  it,  too  ;  though  he  was  an  over- 
hand for  the  tomahawk,  never  firing  more  than  once  or  twice, 
before  he  was  running  in  for  the  scalps.  Ah  1  times  is  dread- 
fully altered  since  then.  Why,  Doctor,  there  was  nothing  but  a 
footpath,  or  at  the  most  a  track  for  pack-horses,  along  the 
Mohawk,  from  the  Jarman  Flats  up  to  the  forts.  Now,  they 
say,  they  talk  of  running  one  of  them  wide  roads  with  gates  on. 
it  along  the  river  ;  first  making  a  road,  and  then  fencing  it  up  ! 
I  hunted  one  season  back  of  the  Kaatskills,  nigh-hand  to  the 
settlement?,  anl  the  dogs  often  lost  the  scent,  when  they  came  to 
them  highway?,  there  was  so  much  travel  on  them  ;  though  I 
tan't  say  that  the  brutes  was  of  a  very  good  breed.  Old  Hector 
will  wind  a  deer  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  across  the  broadest  place 
in  the  Otsego,  and  that  is  a  mile  and  a  half,  for  I  paced  it 
myself  on  the  ice,  when  -the  tract  was  first  surveyed,  under  the 
Indian  grant." 

"  It  sames  to  me,  Natty,  but  a  sorry  compliment  to  call  your 
cpmrad  after  the  evil  one,"  said  the  landlady  ;  "and  it's  no  much 
like  a  snake  that  eld  John  is  looking  now.  Nimrood  would  be  a 
more  besaming  name  for  the  lad,  ana  a  more  Christian  too,  seeing 
that  it  comes  from  the  Bible.  The  sargeant  read  me  the  chapter 
about  him  the  night  before  my  christening,  and  a  mighty  asei>-«-nt 
it  was  to  nsten  to  anything  from  the  book." 


124  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  Old  John  and  Chingachgook  were  very  different  men  to  look 
on,"  returned  the  hunter,  snaking  his  head  at  his  melancholy 
recollections. — "  In  the  *  fifty-eighth  war '  he  was  in  the  middla 
of  manhood,  and  taller  than  now  by  three  inches.  If  you  had 
seen  him,  as  I  did,  the  morning  we  beat  Dieskau,  from  behind 
our  log  walls,  you  would  have  called  him  as  ccuiely  a  red-skin  as 
re  ever  set  eyes  on.  He  was  naked,  all  to  his  breech-cloth,  and 
leggens ;  and  you  never  seed  a  creater  so  handsomely  painted. 
One  side  of  his  face  was  red,  and  the  other  black.  His  head 
was  shaved  clean,  all  to  a  few  hairs  on  the  crown,  where  I/c 
wore  a  tuft  of  eagle's  feathers,  as  bright  as  it'  they  had  come  froru 
a  peacock's  taiL  He  had  coloured  his  sides,  so  that  they  looked 
like  an  atomy,  ribs  and  all ;  for  Chingachgook  had  a  great  taste 
in  such  things :  so  that,  what  with  his  bold,  fiery  countenance, 
his  knife,  and  his  tomahawk,  I  have  never  seen  a  fiercer  warrior 
on  the  ground.  He  played  hi*  part,  too,  like  a  man  ;  for  1  saw 
him  next  day,  with  thirteen  scalps  on  his  pole.  And  I  will  say 
this  for  the  '  Bijj  Snake,'  that  he  always  dealt  fair,  and  never 
scalped  any  that  ne  didn't  kill  with  his  own  hands." 

"Well,  well,"  cried  the  landlady  ;  "  fighting  is  fighting,  any 
way,  and  there  is  different  fashions  in  the  thing  ;  though  I  can  t 
say  that  I  relish  mangling  a  body  after  the  breath  is  out  of  it  ; 
neither  do  I  think  it  can  be  uphild  by  doctrine.  I  hope, 
sargeant,  ye  niver  was  helping  in  sich  evil  worrek." 

"  It  was  my  duty  to  keep  my  ranks,  and  to  "stand  or  fall  by 
the  t»aggonet  or  lead,"  returned  the  veteran.  "  I  was  then  in 
the  fort,  and,  seldom  leaving  my  place,  saw  but  little  of  the 
savages,  who  kept  on  the  flanks,  or  in  front,  scrimmaging.  I 
remember,  r-owsomever,  to  have  heard  mention  made  of  the 
'  Great  Snake,'  as  he  was  called,  for  he  was  a  chief  of  renown  ; 
but  little  did  I  ever  expect  to  see  him  enlisted  in  the  cause  of 
Christianity,  and  civilized  like  old  John." 

"  Oh  I  he  was  Christianized  by  the  Moravians,  who  were  always 
over  intimate  with  the  Delawares,"  said  Leather-stocking.  "  It's 
my  opinion,  that,  had  they  been  left  to  themselves,  there  would 
be  no  such  doings  now  about -the  head  waters  of  the  two  rivers, 
and  that  these  hills  mought  have  been  kept  as  good  hunting- 
ground  by  their  right  owner,  who  is  not  too  old  to  carry  a  rifle, 
and  whose  sight  is  as  true  as  a  fish-hawk  hovering  " — 

He  was  interrupted  by  more  stamping  at  the  door,  and  pre- 
sently the  party  from  the  Mansion-house  entered,  followed  by  the 
Indian  himself. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

There's  quart  pot,  pint  pot,  half-pint. 
Gill  pot,  half-gill,  nlpperkin, 

And  tbe  brown  bowl- 
Here's  a  health  to  the  barley  mow, 

My  brave  boys, 
Here's  a  health  to  the  barley  mow.  Drinking  Song. 

SOME  little  commotion  was  produced  by  the  appearance  of  the 
new  guests,  during  which  the  lawyer  slunk  from  the  room. 
Most  of  the  men  approached  Marmauuke,  and  shook  his  offered 
hand,  hoping  "  that  the  Judge  was  well ; "  while  Major  Hart- 
niann,  having  laid  aside  his  hat  and  wig,  and  substituted  for  the 
latter  a  warm,  peaked,  woollen  night-cap,'  took  his  seat  very 
quietly  on  one  end  of  the  settee,  which  was  relinquished  by  its 
former  occupants.  His  tobacco-box  was  next  produced,  and  a 
clean  pipe  was  handed  him  by  the  landlord.  When  he  had 
succeeded  in  raising  a  smoke,  the  Major  gave  a  long  whiff,  and, 
turning  his  head  towards  the  bar,  he  said, — 

"  Petty,  pring  in  ter  toddy." 

In  the  meantime,  the  Judge  had  exchanged  his  salutations 
with  most  of  the  company,  and  taken  a  place  by  the  side  of  the 
Major,  and  Richard  had  bustled  himself  into  the  most  comfort- 
able seat  in  the  room.  Mr.  Le  Quoi  was  the  last  seated,  nor  did 
he  venture  to  place  his  chair  finally,  until,  by  frequent  removals, 
lie  had  ascertained  that  he  could  not  possibly  intercept  a  ray  of 
heat  from  any  individual  present.  Mohegan  found  a  place  on  an 
end  of  one  of  the  benches,  and  somewhat  approximated  to  the 
bar.  When  these  movements  had  subsided,  the  Judge  remarked 
pleasantly, — 

"Well,  Betty,  I  find  you  retain  your  popularity  through  all 
weathers,  against  all  rivals,  and  among  all  religions. — How  liked 
you  th&  sermon  ? " 

"Irsj^t  the  sarmon?"  exclaimed  the  landlady.  "I  can't  say 
but  :i  was  rasonable  ;  but  the  prayers  is  mighty  unasy.  It's  no 
so  small  a  matter  for  a  body,  in  their  fifty-nint'  year,  to  be 
moving  so  much  in  church.  Mr.  Grant  sanies  a  godiy  man,  any 
way,  aud  his  garrel  is  a  hoomble  one,  and  a  devout — Here,  John, 
is  a  mug  of  cider  laced  with  whisky.  An  .Indian  will  drink 
cider  though  he  niver  be  athirst." 

125 


12d  THE  PIONEERS. 

"I  must  say,"  observed  Hiram,  with  duo  deliberation,  "that  it 
was  a  tonguey  thins ;  and  I  rather  guess  that  it  gave  consider- 
able satisfaction.  There  was  one  part,  though,  which  might  have 
been  left  out,  or  something  else  put  in  ;  but  then,  I  s'pose  that, 
as  it  was  a  written  discourse,  it  is  not  so  easily  altered,  as  where 
a  minister  preaches  without.notes." 

"  Ay  I  there's  the  rub,  Joodge,"  cried  the  landlady.  "  How 
can  a  man  stand  up  and  be  praching  his  word,  when  all  that  he 
is  saying  is  written  down,  and  he  is  as  much  tied  to  it  as  iver  a 
thavang  dragoon  was  to  the  pickets  1 " 

"  Well,  well,"  cried  Marmaduke,  waving  his  hand  for  silence, 
"  there  is  enough  said ;  as  Mr.  Grant  told  us,  there  are  different 
sentiments  on  such  subjects,  and  in  my  opinion  he  spoke  most 
sensibly. — So,  Jotham,  I  am  told  you  have  sold  your  betterments 
to  a  new  settler,  and  have  moved  into  the  village  and  opened  a 
school.  Was  it  cash  or  dicker  ? " 

The  man  who  was  thus  addressed  occupied  a  seat  immediately 
behind  Marmaduke  ;  and  one,  who  was  ignorant  of  the  extent 
of  the  Judge's  observation,  might  have  thought  he  would  have 
escaped  notice.  He  was  of  a  thin,  shapeless  figure,  with  a  dis- 
contented expression  of  countenance,  and  with  something  ex- 
tremely shiftless  in  his  whole  air.  Thus  spoken  to,  after  turning 
and  twisting  a  little,  by  way  of  preparation,  he  made  a  reply. 

"Why,  part  cash,  and- part  dicker.  I  sold  out  to  a  Pumfret- 
man,  who  was  so'thin  forehanded.  He  was  to  give  me  ten  dollars 
an  acre  for  the  clearin,  and  one  dollar  an  acre  over  the  first  cost, 
on  the  woodland  ;  and  we  agreed  to  leave  the  buildins  to  men. 
So  I  tuck  Asa  Mountagu,  and  he  tuck  Absalom  Bement,  and 
they  two  tuck  old  Squire  Naphtali  Green.  And  so  they  had  a 
meetin,  and  made  out  a  vardict  of  eighty  dollars  for  the  buildins. 
There  was  twelve  acres  of  clearin,  at  ten  dollars,  and  eighty- 
eight  at  one,  and  the  whull  came  to  two  hundred  and  eighty-six 
dollars  and  a  half,  after  paying  the  men." 

"  Hum."  said  Marmaduke ;  "  what  did  you  give  for  the 
place  ?" 

"  Why,  besides  what's  coiniu  to  the  Judge,  I  gi'n  my  brother 
Tim  a  hundred  dollars  for  his  bargain  ;  but  then  there's  a  new 
house  on't  that  cost  me  sixty  more,  and  I  paid  Moses  a  hundred 
dollars  for  choppin,  and  loggin,  and  eowin ;  so  that  the  whull 
stood  me  in  about  two  hundred  and  sixty  dollars.  But  then  I 
had  a  great  crop  off  on't,  and  as  I  got  twenty-six  dollars  and  a  half 
more  tnan  it  cost,  I  conclude  I  made  a  pretty  good  trade  on't" 

11  Yes,  but  you  forgot  that  the  crop  was  yours  without  the  trade, 
and  you  have  turned  yourself  out  of  doors  for  twenty-six  dollars." 

"  Oh  1  the  Judge  is  clean  out,"  said  the  man,  with  a  look  of 
sagacious  calculation  ;  "  he  turned  out  a  span  of  horses  that  is 
\vuth  a  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  of  any  man's  money,  with  a 


THE  PIONEERS.  127 

"bran  new  waggon ;  fifty  dollars  in  cash ;  and  a  good  note  for 
eighty  more  ;  and  a  side-saddle  that  was  valued  at  seven  and  a 
half — so  there  was  jist  twelve  shillings  betwixt  us.  I  wanted 
him  to  turn  out  a -set  of  harness,  and  take  the  cow  and  the  sap 
troughs.  He  wouldn't — but  I  saw  through  it ;  he  thought  1 
should  have  to  buy  the  tacklin  afore  I  could  use  the  waggon  and 
horses ;  but  I  knoVd  a  thing  or  two  myself ;  I  should  like  to 
know  of  what  use  is  the  tacklin  to  him  1  ll  offered  him  to  trads 
back  ag'in  for  one  hundred  and  fifty-five.  But  my  woman  sa.i;l 
she  wanted  a  churn,  so  I  tuck  a  churn  for  the  change." 

"  And  what  do  you  mean  to  do  with  your  time  this  winter  . 
you  must  remember  that  time  is  money." 

"  Why,  as  the  master  is  gone  down  country  to  see  his  mother, 
who,  they  say,  is  going  to  make  a  die  on't,  I  agreed  'to  take  the 
school  in  hand  till  he  comes  back.  If  times  doesn't  get  worse 
in  the  spring,  I've  some  notion  of  going  into  trade,  or  maybe 
I  may  move  off  to  the  Genessee ;  they  say  they  are  carryiri  -on 
a  great  stroke  of  business  that-a-way.  If  the  wuet  comes  to  tho 
wust,  I  can  but  work  at  my  trade,  for  I  was  brought  up  in  a 
shoe  manufactory." 

It  would  seem  that  Marmaduke  did  not  think  his  society  of 
sufficient  value  to  attempt  inducing  him  to  remain  where  he 
was ;  for  he  addressed  no  further  discourse  to  the  man,  but 
turned  his  attention  to  other  subjects.  After  a  short  pause, 
Hiram  ventured  a  question  : — 

"What  news  does  the  Judge  bring  ns  from  the  legislature? 
it's  not  likely  that  Congress  has  done  much  this  session,  or  maybe 
the  French  haven't  fit  any  more  battles  lately  1 " 

"  The  French,  since  they  have  beheaded  their  king,  have  done 
nothing  but  fight,"  returned  the  Judge.  "  The  character  of  the 
nation  seems  changed.  I  knew  many  French  gentlemen  during 
our  war,  and  they  all  appeared  to  me  to  be  men  of  great  humanity 
and  goodness  of  heart ;  but  these  Jacobins  are  as  bloodthirsty 
as  bull-dogs." 

"  There  was  one  Boshambow  wid  ns,  down  at  Yorrektown," 
cried  the  landlady;  "a  mighty  pratty  man  he  was,  too;  and 
their  horse  was  the  very  same.  It  was  there  that  the  eargeant  got 
the  hurt  in  the  leg  from  the  English  batteries,  bad  luck  to  'em." 

"  Ah  1  mon  pauvre  Roi ! "  murmured  Monsieur  Le  Quoi. 

"  The  legislature  have  been  passing  laws,"  continued  Marma- 
duke, "  that  the  country  much  required.  Among  others,  there 
is  an  act  prohibiting  the  drawing  of  seines,  at  any  other  than 
proper  seasons,  in  certain  of  our  streams  and  small  lakes ;  and 
another,  to  prohibit  the  killing  of  deer  in  the  teeming  months. 
These  are  laws  that  were  loudly  called  for  by  judicious  men  ;  nor 
do  I  despair  of  getting  an  act  to  make  the  unlawful  felling  of 
timber  a  criminal  offe 


128  WE  PTONFERS. 

The  hunter  listened  to  this  detail  with  breathless  attention, 
and  when  the  Judge  had  ended,  he  laughed  in  open  derision. 

"  you  may  make  your  laws,  Judge, '  he  cried,  "  but  who  will 
yoa  find  to  watch  the  mountains  through  the  long  summer  days 
or  the  lakes  at  night  ?  Game  is  game,  and  he  who  finds  may 
kill ;  that  has  been  the  law  in  these  mountains  for  forty  years 
to  my  sartain  knowledge  ;  and  I  think  one  old  law  is  worth  two 
new  ones.  None  but  a  green-ona  \vouid  wish  to  kill  a  doe  with 
a  fa'n  by  its  side,  unless  his  mocassins  was  getting  old,  or  his 
leggins  ragged,  for  the-  flesh  is  lean  and  coarse.  But  a  rifle  lings 
among  the  rocks  along  the  lake  shore  sometimes  as  if  fifty  pieces 
were  fired  at  once  ; — it  would  be  hard  to  tell  where  the  man 
stood  who  pulled  the  trigger." 

"Armed  with  the  dignity  of  the  law,  Mr.  Burappo,"  returned 
the  Judge  gravely,  "  a  vigilant  magistrate  can  prevent  much  of 
the  evil  that  has  hitherto  prevailed,  and  which  is  already  render- 
in"  the  game  scarce.  1  hope  to  live  to  see  the  day  when  a  man's 
rights  iu  his  game  shall  be  as  much  respected  as  his  title  to  his 
farm."  . 

"Your  titles  and  your  farms  are  all  new  together,"  cried 
Natty ;  "  but  laws  should  be  equal,  and  not  more  for  one  than 
another.  I  shot  a  deer,  last  Wednesday  was  a  fortnight,  and 
it  floundered  through  the  snow  banks  till  it  got  over  a  brush 
fence  ;  I  catch 'd  the  lock  of  my  rifle  in  the  twigs  in  following, 
and  was  kept  back  until  finally  the  creater  got  off.  Now  I  want 
to  know  who  is  to  pay  me  for  that  deer  ;  and  a  fine  buck  it  was. 
If  there  hadn't  been  a  fence,  I  should  have  gotten  another  shot 
into  it ;  ajarl  I  never  draw'd  upon  anything  that  hadn't  wings 
three  times  running  in  my  born  days.  No,  no,  Judge-,  it's  tin- 
farmers  that  makes  the  game  scarce,  and  not  the  hunters." 

"Ter  teer  is  not'so  plenty  as  in  ter  old  war,  Puiuppo,"  said  the 
Major,  who  had  been  an  attentive  listener,  amidst  clouds  of 
smoke  ;  "  put  ter  lant  is  not  mate  as  for  ter  teer  to  live  on,  tmt 
for  Christians." 

"Why,  Major,  I  believe  you'rs  a  friend  to  justice  and  the 
right,  though  you  go  so  often  to  the  grand  house  ;  but  it's  a  hard 
case  to  a  man  to  have  his  honest  calling  for  a  livelihood  stopped 
by  laws,  and  that  too  when,  if  right  was  done,  he  inought  hunt 
or  fish  on  any  day  in  the  week,  or  on  the  best  flat  in  the  Patent, 
if  he  was  so  minded." 

"-I  unterstant  you,  Letter-stockint,"  returned  the  Major,  fixing 
his  black  eyes  with  a  look  of  peculiar  meaning  on  the  hunter ; 
"  put  you  tidn't  use  to  be  so  prutent  as  to  look  ahet  mit  so 
much  care." 

"  Maybe  there  wasn't  so  much  occasion,"  eaid  the  hunter,  a 
little  sulkily ;  when  he  sunk  into  a  silence  from  which  he  was 
not  roused  for  some  time. 


THE  PIONEERS.  129 

"The  Judge  was  saying  BO' thin  about  the  French,"  Hiram 
observed,  when  the  pause  in  the  conversation  had  continued  a 
decent  time. 

"  Yea,  sir,"  returned  Maraaduke^  "  the  Jacobins  of  France 
seem  rushing  from  one  act  of  licentiousness  to  another.  They 
continue  those  murders,  which  are  dignified  by  the  name  of  exe- 
cutions. You  have  heard  that  they  have  added  the  death  of 
their  Queen  to  the  long  Jist  of  their  crimes." 

"  Les  monstres  I "  again  murmured  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  turning 
himself  suddenly  in  his  chair  with  a  convulsive  start. 

"  The  province  of  La  Vendee  is  laid  waste  by  the  troops  of 
the  Republic,  and  hundreds  of  its  inhabitants,  who  are  royalists 
in  their  sentiments,  are  shot  at  a  time.  La  Vendee  is  a  district 
in  the  south-west  of  France  that  continues  yet  much  attached 
to  the  family  of  the  Bourbons  ;  doubtless  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  is 
acquainted  with  it,  and  can  describe  it  more  faithfully." 

"  Non,  non,  non,  mon  cher  ami,"  returned  the  Frenchman  in 
a  suppressed  voice,  but  speaking  rapidly,  and  gesticulating  with 
his  right  hand  as  if  for  mercy,  while  with  his  left  he  concealed 
his  eyes. 

"There  have  been  many  battles  fought  lately,"  continued 
Marmaduke,  "  anr1  the  infuriated  Republicans  are  too  often 
victorious.  I  caimot  say,  however,  that  I  am  sorry  they  have 
captured  Toulon  from  the  English,  for  it  is  a  place  to  which 
they  have  a  just  right'*1 

"  Ah — ha  ! "  exclaimed  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  springing  on  his 
feet,  and  flourishing  both  arms  with  great  animation  ;  "ces 
Angiais  1 " 

The  Frenchman  continued  to  move  about  the  room  with 
great  alacrity  for  a  few  minutes,  repeating  his  exclamations  to 
himself ,  when,  overcome  by  "the  contradictory  nature  of  his 
emotions,  he  suddenly  burst  out  of  the  house,  and  was  seen 
wading  through  the  snow  towards  his  little  shop,  waving  his 
arms  on  high,  as  if  to  pluck  down  honour  from  the  moon. 
His  departure  excited  but  little  surprise,  for  the  villagers  were 
used  to  his  manner ;  but  Major  Hartmann  laughed  outright, 
for  the  first  time  during  his  visit,  as  he  lifted  the  mug,  and 
observed, — 

"Ter  Frenchman  is  mat — put  he  is  goot  as  for  netting  to 
trink  ,  he  is  trunk  mit  joy." 

"The  French  are  good  eoldiers,"  said  Captain  Hollister ;  "they 
stood  us  in  hand  a  good  turn,  down  at  York  Town  j  nor  do  I 
think,  although  I  am  an  ignorant  man  about  the  great  move- 
ments of  the  army,  that  his  Excellency  would  have  been  able  to 
march  against  Coruwallis  without  their  reinforcements." 

"Ye  spake  the  trot*,  6ai]geant,"  interrupted  his  Arife,  "and  I 
would  iver  have  ye  be  doing  the  same.  If  s  varry  pratty  men 


130  THE  PIONZEJZS. 

is  the  French  ;  and  jist  when.  I  stopt  tlie  cart,  the  time  when 
ye  was  pushing  on  in  front  it  was,  to  kape  the  rig'lers  in,  i 
rigiment  of  the  jontlemen  marched  by,  and  so  I  dealt  them  <v  ? 
to  their  liking.  Was  it  pay  I  got?  sure  did  I,  and  in  goo  I 
solid  crowns :  the  divil  a  bit  of  continental  could  they  muster 
among  them  all,  for  love  nor  money.  Och  !  the  Lord  forgive 
me  for  swearing,  and  spakeing  of  such  vanities  ;  but  this  I  will 
say  for  the  French,  that  they  paid  in  good  silver ;  and  one 
glass  would  go  a  great  way  wid  em,  for  they  generally  handed 
it  back  wid  a  drop  in  the  cup ;  and  that's  a  brisk  trade, 
Joodge,  where  the  pay  is  good,  and  the  men  not  over  partic'lar." 

"A  thriving  trade,  Mrs.  Hollister,"  said  Marmaduke.  "But 
what  has  become  of  Richard?  he  jumped  up  as  soon  as 
seated,  and  has  been  absent  so  long  that  I  am  fearful  he  has 
frozen." 

"No  fear  of  that,  cousin  'duke,"  cried  the  gentleman  himself; 
"  business  will  sometimes  keep  a  man  warm,  the  coldest  night 
that  ever  snapt  in  the  mountains.  Betty,  your  husband  told 
me,  as  we  came  out  of  church,  that  your  hogs  were  getting  mangy, 
so  I  have  been  out  to  take  a  look  at  them,  and  found  it  true. 
I  stepped  across,  Doctor,  and  got  .your  boy  to  weigh  me  out  a 
pound  of  salts,  and  have  been  mixing  it  with  their  swill.  I'll 
bet  a  saddle  of  venison  against  a  grey  squirrel,  that  they  are 
better  in  a  week.  And  now,  Mrs.  Hollister,  I'm  ready  for  a 
hissing  mug  of  flip." 

"  Sure  I  know'd  yee'd  be  wanting  that  same,"  said  the  land- 
lady ;  "  it's  mist  and  ready  to  the  boiling.  Sargeant,  dear,  be- 
handing  up  the  iron,  will  ye  ? — no,  the  one  in  the  far  fire,  it's 
black,  ye  will 'see.  Ah  1  you've  the  thing  now  :  look  if  it's  not 
as  red  as  a  cherry." 

The  beverage  was  heated,  and  Richard  toolc  that  kind  of 
draught  which  men  are  apt  to  indulge  in  who  think  that  they 
have  just  executed  a  clever  thing,  especially  when  they  like  the 
liquor. 

"  Oh  I  you  have  a  hand,  Betty,  that  was  formed  to  mix  flip," 
cried  Richard,  when  he  paused  for  breath.  "  The  very  iron  has 
a  flavour  in  it.  Here,  John,  drink,  man,  drink.  I  and  you  and 
Dr.  Todd  have  dome  a  good  thing  with  the  shoulder  of  that  lad 
this  very  night  'Duke,  I  made  a  eong  while  you  were  gone — 
one  day  when  I  had  nothing  to  do ;  so  I'll  sing  you  a  verse  or 
two,  though  I  haven't  really  determined  on  the  tune  yet : — 

What  U  life  hat  a  scene  of  care. 

Where  each  one  must  foil  in  his  way? 
Then  let  us  be  jnlly,  and  prove  that  we  an 
A  »et  of  good  fellows  who  sesm  very  rare, 
And  can  laugh  and  sing  nil  the  day. 
Then  let  us  be  joliy, 
And  cast  away  folly, 
POT  grief  turns  a  black  head  to  grey. 


THE  PIONEERS.  131 

There,  'duk$  what  do  you  think  of  tliat  1  There  is  another 
verse  of  it,  au  but  the  last  line.  I  haven't  got  a  rhyme  for  the 
last  line  yet.  Well,  old  John,  what  do  you  think  of  the  music  ? 
as  good  as  one  of  your  war  songs,  ha  1 " 

"  Good,"  said  Mohegan,  who  had  -been  sharing  deeply  in  the 
potations  of  the  landlady,  besides  paying  a  proper  respect  to  the 
passing  mugs  of  the  Major  and  Marmaduke. 

"  Pravo  !  pravo-1  Richart,"  cried  the  Major,  whose  black  eyes 
were^beginnmg  to  swim  in  moisture  ;  "  pravissimo  !  it  is  a  goot 
song;  put  Natty  Pumppo  hast  a  petter.  Letter-stockint,  vilt 
sing?  say,  olt  poy,  vilt  sing  tec  song,  as  apout  ter  woots  ? " 

"No,  no,  Major,"  returned  the  hunter,  with  a  melancholy 
shake  of  the  head,  "  I  have  lived  to  see  what  I  thought  eyes 
could  never  behold  in  these  hills,  and  I  have  no  heart  left  for 
singing.  If  he,  that  has  a  right  to  be  master  and  ruler  here,  ia 
forced  to  squinch  his  thirst  when  a-dry  with  snow-water,  it  ill 
becomes  them  that  have  lived  by  his  bounty  to  be  making 
merry,  as  if  there  was  nothing  in  the  world  but  sunshine  and 
summer." 

When  he  had  spoken,  Leather-stocking  again  dropped  his  head 
on  his  knees,  ana  concealed  his  hard  and  wrinkled  features  with 
his  hands.  The  change  from  the  excessive  cold  without  to  the 
heat  of  the  bar-room,  coupled  with  the  depth  and  frequency  of 
Richard's  draughts,  had  already  levelled  whatever  inequality 
there  might  have  existed  between  him  and  the  other  guests  on 
the  score  of  spirits ;  and  he  now  held  out  a  pair  of  swimming 
mugs  of  foaming  flip  towards  the  hunter,  as  he  cried, — 

"Merry!  ay!  merry  Christmas  to  you,  old  boy!  Sunshine  and 
summer !  no !  you  are  blind,  Leather  stocking,  'tis  moonshine 
and  winter ; — take  these  spectacles,  and  open  your  eyes,  — 

So  let  us  be  jolly, 
And  cast  away  folly. 
For  grief  torus  a  black  head  to  grey, 

"  Hear  how  old  John  turns  his  quavers  What  damned  dull 
music  an  Indian  song  is,  after  all,  Major  !  I  wonder  if  they  ever 
sing  by  note." 

While  Richard  was  singing  and  talking,  Mohegan  was  uttering 
dull,  monotonous  tones,  keeping  time  by  a  gentle  motion  of  his 
head  and  body.  He  made  use  of  but  few  words,  and  such  za  he 
did  utter  were  in  <his  native  language,  and  consequently  only 
understood  by  himself  and  Natty.  Without  heeding  Richard,  he 
continued  to  sing  a  kind  of  wild,  melancholy  air,  that  rose,  at 
times,  in  sudden  and  quite  elevated  notes,  and  then  fell  again 
into  the  low,  quavering  sounds  that  seemed  to  compose  the 
character  of  his  music. 

The  attention  of  the  company  was  nov/  much  divided,  the  mea 


132  TKK  PIOttEERS. 

in  the  rear  having  formed  themselves  into  little  group*,  whtra 
they  were  discussing  various  matters;  among  the  principal  of 
which  were,  the  treatment  of  mangy  hogs,  and  Parson  Grant's 
preaching ;  while  Dr.  Todd  was  endeavouring  to  explain  io 
Marmaduke  the  nature  of  the  hurt  received  by  the  young  hunter. 
Mohegan  continued  to  sing,  while  his  countenance  was  becoming 
vacant,  though,  coupled  with  his  thick  bushy  hair,  it  was  assum- 
ing an  expression  very  much  like  brutal  ferocity.  His  notes  were 
gradually  growing  louder,  and  soon  rose  to  a  height  that  caused 
a  general  cessation  in  the  discourse.  The  hunter  now  raised  his 
head  again,  and  addressed  the  old  .warrior,  warmly,  in  the  Dela- 
ware language,  which,  for  the  benefit  of  our  readers,  we  shall 
render  freely  into  English. 

"  Why  do  you  sing  of  your  battles,  Chingachgook,  and  of  the 
warriors  you  have  slain,  when  the  worst  enemy  of  all  is  near  you, 
and  keeps  the  Young  Eagle  from  his  rights  ?  I  have  fought  in  as 
many  battles  as  any  warrior  in  your  tribe,  but  cannot  boast  of 
iny  deeds  at  such  a  time  as  this." 

"  Hawk-eye,"  said  the  Indian,  tottering  with  a  doubtful  step 
from  his  place,  "  I  am  the  Great  Snake  of  the  Delawares ;  I  can 
track  the.  Mingoes,  like  an  adder  that  is  stealing  on  the  whip- 
poor-will's  eggs,  and  strike  them,  like  the  rattlesnake,  dead  at  a 
plow.  The  white  lutm  made  the  tomahawk  of  Chingachgook 
bright  as  the  waters  of  Otsego,  when  the  last  sun  is  shining; 
but  it  is  red  with  the  blvxxl  of  the  Maquas." 

"  And  why  have  you  slain  the  Mingo  warriors  ?  Was  it  not 
to  keep  these  hunting  grounds  and  lakes  to  your  father's  children? 
and  were  they  not  given  in  solemn  council  to  the  Fire-eater?  and 
does  not  the  blood  of  a  warrior  run.  in  the  veins  of  a  .young  chief, 
who  should  speak  aloud  where  his  voice  is  now  too  low  to  be 
heard?" 

The  appeal  of  the  hunter  seemed  in  some  measure  to  recall 
the  confused  faculties  of  the  Indian,  who  turned  his  face  towards 
the  listeners,  and  gazed  intently  on  the  Judge.  He  shook  his 
head,  throwing  his  hair  back  from  his  countenance,  and  exposed 
eyes  that  were  glaring  with  an  expression  of  wild  resentment. 
But  the  man  was  not  himself.  His  hand  seemed  to  make  a  fruit- 
less effort  to  release  his  tomahawk,  which  was  confined  by  its 
handle  to  his  belt,  while  his  eyes  gradually  became  vacant. 
Eichard  at  that  instant  thrusting^  mug  before  him,  his  features 
changed  to  the  grin  of  idiocy,  and  seizing  the  vessel  with  both 
hands,  he  sunk  backward  on  the  bench,  and  drank  until  satiated, 
when  he  made  an  effort  to  lay  aside  the  mug  with  the  helplessness 
of  total  inebriety. 

•  "  Shed  not  blood  1 "  exclaimed  the  hunter  as  he  watched  the 
countenance  of  the  Indian  in  its  moment  of  ferocity  ;  "  but  he  is 
drunk,  and  can  do  no  harm.  This  is  the  way  with  all  the  savages ; 


THE  PIONEERS.  533 

give  them  liquor,  and  they  make  dogs  of  themselves.  Well,  well 
•—the  time  will  coine  when  right  will  be  done ;  and  we  must 
have  patience." 

Natty  still  spoke  in  the  Delaware  language,  and  of  course  was 
not,  understood.  He  had  hardly  concluded,  before  Richard  cried, — 

"Well,  old  John  is  soon  sowed  up.  Give  him  a  berth, 
Captain,  in  the  barn,  and  I  will  pay  for  it.  I  am  rich  to-night, 
ten  times  richer  than  'duke,  with  all  his  lands,  and  military  lota, 
and  funded  debts,  and  bonds,  and  mortgages. 

Come,  let  us  be  jolly, 
And  cast  away  folly, 
For  grief- 
Drink,  King  Hiram  —drink,  Mr.  Doo-nothing— drink,  sir,  I  say. 
This  is  a  Christmas  eve,  which  comes,  you  know,  but  once  a 
year." 

"  He  I  he !  he  1  the  Squire  is  <Juite  moosical  to-night,"  said 
Hiram,  whose  visage  began  to  give  marvellous  signs  of  relaxation. 
"  I  rather  guess  we  shall  make  a  church  on't  yet,  Squire  ? " 

"A  church,  Mr.  Doolittle !  we  will  make  a  cathedral  of  it  I 
bishops,  priests,  deacons,  wardens,  vestry,  and  choir ;  organ, 
organist,  and  bellows  1  By  the  lord  Harry,  as  Benjamin  says,  we 
will  clap  a  steeple  on  the  other  end  of  it,  and  make  two  churches 
of  it.  What  say  you,  'duke,  will  you  pay  ?  ha  1  my  cousin  Judge, 
wilt  pay  ? " 

"Thou  makest  such  a  noise,  Dickoli,"  returned  Marmaduke, 
"  it  is  impossible  that  I  can  v  ear  what  Dr.  Todd  is  saying, — I  think 
thou  observedst,  it  is  probable  the  wound  will  fester,  so  oa  to 
occasion  danger  to  the  limb  in  this  cold  weather  1 " 

"  Out  of  nater,  sir,  quite  out  of  nater,"  said  Elnathan,  attempt- 
ing to  expectorate,  but  succeeding  only  in  throwing  a  light,  frotny 
substance,  like  a  flake  of  snow,  into  the  fire — "  quite  out  of  nater, 
that  a  wound  so  well  dressed,  and  with  the  ball  in  my  pocket, 
should  fester.  I  s'pose,  as  the  Judge  talks  of  taking  the  young 
man  into  his  house,  it  will  be  most  convenient  if  I  make  but  one 
chargo  on't." 

l(  I  should  think  one  would  do,"  returned  Marmaduke,  with 
that  arch  smile  that  so  often  beamed  on  his  face ;  leaving  the 
beholder  in  doubt  whether  he  most  enjoyed  the  character  of,  his 
companion,  or  his  own  covert  humour. 

The  landlord  had  succeeded  in  placing  the  Indian  on  some 
straw  in  one  of  his  out-buildings,  v/here,  covered  with  his  own 
blanket,  John  continued  for  the  remainder  of  the  night 

In  the  meantime  Major  Hartmann  began  to  grow  noisvand 
jocular ;  glass  succeeded  glass,  and  mug  after  mug  was  introduced, 
i  until  the  carousal  had  run  deep  into  the  night,  or  rather  morn- 
ing : .  when  the  veteran  German  expressed  an.  inclination  to  return 


134  THE  PIONEERS. 

to  the  Mansion-house.  Most  of  the  party  liad  already  retired, 
but  Marmaduke  knew  the  habits  of  his  friend  too  well  to  suggest 
an  earlier  adjournment.  So  soon,  however,  as  the  proposal  was 
made,  the  Judge  eagerly  availed  himself  of  it,  and  the  trio  pre- 
pared to  depart  Mrs.  Hollister  attended  them  to  the  door  in 
person,  cautioning  her  guests  as  to  the  safest  manner  of  leaving 
Tier  premises. 

"  Lane  on  Mister  Jones,  Major,"  said  she,  "  he's  young,  and  will 
be  a  support  to  ye.  Well,  it's  a  charming  eight  to  eee  ye,  any 
way,  at  the  Bould  Dragoon  :  and  sure  it's  no  harm  to  be  leaping 
a  Christmas  eve  wid  a  light  heart,  for  it's  no  telling  when  we  may 
have  sorrow  come  upon  us.  So  gocd  night,  Joodge,  and  a  merrj 
Christmas  to  ye  all,  to-morrow  morning." 

The  gentlemen  made  their  adieus  as  well  as  they  could,  and 
taking  the  middle  of  the  road,  which  was  a  fine,  wide,  and  well- 
beaten  path,  they  did  tolerably  well  until  they  reached  the  gate 
of  the  Mansion-house  ;  but  on  entering  the  Judge's  domains,  they 
encountered  some  slight  difficulties.  We  shall  not  stop  to  relate 
them,  but  will  just  mention  that,  in  the  morning,  sundry  diverg- 
ing paths  were  to  be  seen  'in  the  snow  ;  and  that  once  during 
their  progress  to  the  door,  Marmaduke,  missing  his  companions, 
was  enabled  to  trace  them,  by  one  of  these  paths,  to  a  spot  where 
he  discovered  them  with  nothing  visible  but  their  heads  ;  Richard 
singing  in  a  most  vivacious  strain, — 

Come,  let  us  be  Jolly, 

And  cast  away  folly, 

for  grief  turns  a  black  head  to  grey. 


CHAPTEB  XV. 

"  At  the  lay,  on  that  day,  in  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  O  t " 

PREVIOUSLY  to  the  occurrence  of  the  scene  at  the  "Bold 
Dragoon,"  'Elizabeth  had  been  safely  reconducted  to  the  Mansion- 
house,  where  she  was  left,  as  its  mistress,  either  to  amuse  or 
employ  herself  during  the  evening  as  best  suited  her  own  inclina- 
tion. Most  of  the  lights  were  extinguished  ;  but  as  Benjamin 
adjusted,  with  great  care  and  regularity,  four  large  candles,  in  as 
many  massive  candlesticks  of  brass,  in  a  row  on  the  sideboard,  the 
hall  possessed  a  peculiar  air  of  comfort  and  warmth,  contrasted 
with  the  cheerless  aspect  of  the  room  she  had  left  in  the  academy. 

Remarkable  had  been  one  of  the  listeners  to  Mr.  Grant,  and 
returned  with  her  resentment,  which  had  been  not  a  little  excited 
by  the  language  of  the  Judge,  somewhat  softened  by  reflection 
and  the  worship.  She  recollected  the  youth  of  Elizabeth,  and 
thought  it  no  difficult  task,  under  present  appearances,  to 
exercise  that  power  indirectly,  which  hitherto  she  had  enjoyed 
undisputed.  The  idea  of  being  governed,  or  of  being  compelled 
to  pay  the  deference  of  servitude,  was  absolutely  intolerable  ; 
and  ehe  had  already  determined  within  herself,  some  half-dozen 
times,  to  make  an  effort  that  should  at  once  bring  to  an  issue  the 
delicate  point  of  her  domestic  condition.  But  as  often  as  she  met 
the  dark,  proiid  eye  of  Elisabeth,  who  was  walking  up  and  down 
the  apartment,  musing  on  the  scenes  of  her  youth,  and  the  change 
in  her  condition,  and  perhaps  the  events  of  the  day,  the  house- 
keeper experienced  an  awe  that  she  would  not  own  to  herself 
could  be  excited  by  anything  mortal.  It,  however,  checked  her 
cdvances,  aud  for  some  time  held  her  tongtie-tied.  At  length 
ehe  determined  to  commence  the  discourse,  by  entering  on  a 
subject  that  was  apt  to  level  all  human  distinctions,  and  in  which 
she  might  display  her  own  abilities. 

"  It  was  quite  a  wordy  sarmon  that  Parson  Grant  gave  us  to- 
night,'" said  Remarkable — "The  church  ministers  be  commonly 
smart  sarmonizera  ;  but  they  write  down  their  idees,  which  is  a 
great  privilege. — I  don't  think  that  by  nater  they  are  tonguey 
speakers,  for  an  off-hand  discourse,  as  the  standing  -  order 
ministers. " 

JM 


1^6  THE  PIONEERS. 

"Ana  what  denomination  do  you  distinguish  as  the  standing- 
order  ? "  inquired  Miss  Temple,  with  some  surprise. 

"Why,  the  Presbyter'ans  and  CongregationaLs,  and  Baptists 
too,  for-ti-'now ;  and  all  sitch  as  don't  go  on  their  knees  to 
prayer." 

"  By  that  rule,  then,  you  would  call  those  who  belong  to  the 
persuasion  of  my  father,  the  sitting-order,"  observed  Elizabeth. 

"  I'm  sura  I've  never  heard  'em  spoken  of  by  any  other  name 
than  Quakers,  so  called,"  returned  Remarkable,  betraying  a  slight 
uneasiness  :  "  I  should  be  the  last  to  call  them  otherwise,  for  I 
nevtg:  in  my  life  used  a  disparaging  tana  of  the  Judge,  or  any  of 
his  family.  I've  always  set  store  by  the  Quakers,  they  are  so 
pretty-spoken,  clever  people  ;  and  it's  a  wonderment  to  me  how 
your  father  come  to  marry  into  a  church  family,  for  they  are  ai 
contrary  in  religion  as  can  be.  One  sits  still,  and,  for  the  most 
part,  says  nothing,  while  the  church  folks  practyse  all  kinds  ot 
ways,  so  that  I  sometimes  think  it  quite  moosical  to  see  them  ; 
for  I  went  to  a  church-meeting  once  before,  down  country." 

"  You  have  found  an  excellence  in  the  church  liturgy  that  haa 
hitherto  escaped  me.  I  will  thank  you  to  inquire  whether  the 
fire  in  my  room  burns  :  I  feel  fatigued  with  my  journey,  and  will 
retire." 

Remarkable  felt  a  wonderful  inclination  to  tell  the  voung 
mistress  of  the  mansion,  that  by  opening  a  door  she  might  see 
for  herself ;  but  prudence  got  the  better  of  resentment,  and  after 
pausing  some  little  time,  as  a  salvo  to  her  dignity,  she  did  as 
aesired.  The  report  was  favourable,  and  the  young  lady,  -wish- 
ing Benjamin,  who  was  filling  the  stove  with  wood,  and  the 
housekeeper,  each  a  good  night,  withdrew. 

The  instant  the  door  closed  on  Miss  Temple,  Remarkable  com- 
menced a  sort  of  mysterious,  ambiguous  discourse  that  was  neither 
abusive  nor  commendatory  of  the  qualities  of  the  absent  person- 
age, but  which  seemed  to  be  drawing  nigh,  by  regular  degrees,  to 
a  most  dissatisfied  description.  The  major-domo  made  no  reply, 
but  continued  his  occupation  with  great  industry,  which  being 
happily  completed,  he  took  a'look  at  the  thermometer,  and  then, 
opeaing  a  drawer  of  the  sideboard,  ho  produced  a  supply  of 
stimulants,  that  would  have  served  to  keep  the  warmth  in  his 
system  without  the  aid  of  the  enormous  fire  he  had  been  building. 
A  small  stand  was  drawn  up  near  the  stove,  and  the  bottles  and 
the  glasses  necessary  for  convenience  were  quietly  arranged. 
TVo  chairs  were  placed  by  the  side  of  this  comfortable  situa- 
tion, when  Benjamin,  for  the  first  time,  appeared  to  observe  hia 
companion. 

"  Come,"  he  criea,  "  come,  Mistress  Remarkable,  bring  your- 
self to  an  anchor  in  this  chair.  It's  a  peeler  without,  I  can  tell 
you,  good  woman  ;  but  what  cares^  1 1  blow  high  or  blow  low, 


THE  PIONEERS.  137 

d'ye  see,  it's  all  the  same  thing  to  Ben.  The  niggers  are  euug 
stowed  below,  before  a  fire  that  would  roast  an  ox  whole. 
The  thermometer  stands  now  at  fifty-five,  but  if  there's  any  vartuo 
in  good  maple  wood,  I'll  weather  iipon  it,  before  one  glass,  as 
much  as  ten  points  more,  so  that  the  Squire,  when  he  cornea 
home  from  Betty  Hollister's  warm  room,  will  feel  as  hot  as  a  hand 
that  has  given  the  rigging  a  lick  with  bad  tar.  Come,  mistress, 
bring  up  in  this  here  chair,  and  tell  me  how  you  like  our  new 
heiress. 

"  Why,  to  my  notion,  Mr.  Penguillum  " — 

"  Pump,  Pump,"  interrupted  Benjamin  ;  "  it's  Christmas  eve, 
Mistress  Remarkable,  and  so,  d'ye  see,  you  had  better  call  me 
Pump.  It's  a  shorter  name,  and  as  I  mean  to  pump  this  here 
decanter  till  it  sucks,  why,  you  may  as  well  call  me  Pump." 

"  Did  you  ever ! "  cried  Remarkable,  with  a  laugh  that  seemed 
to  unhinge  every  joint  in  her  body.  "You're  a  moosical 
creater,  Benjamin,  when  the  notion  takes  you.  But  as  I  was 
saying,  I  rather  guess  that  times  will  be  altered  now  in  this 
house." 

"  Altered  I "  exclaimed  the  major-domo,  eyeing  the  tiottle,  that 
was  assuming  the  clear  aspect  of  cut  glass  with  astonishing 
rapidity  ;  "  it  don't  matter  much,  Mistress  Remarkable,  so  long 
asT  keep  the  keys  of  the  lockers  in  my  pocket." 

"  I  can't  say,''  continued  the  housekeeper,  "  but  there's  good 
eatables  and  drinkables  enough  in  the  house  for  a  body's  con- 
tent— a  little  more  sugar,  Benjamin,  in  the  glass — for  Squire 
Jones  is  an  excellent  provider.  But  new  lords,  new_  laws  ;  and 
I  shouldn't  wonder  if  you  and  I  had  an  unsartain  time  on't  in 
footer." 

"  Life  is  as  unsartain  as  the  wind  that  blows,"  said  Benjamin, 
with  a  moralizing  air  ;  "  and  nothing  i>  more  variable  than  the 
•wind,  Mistress  Remarkable,  unless  you  happen  to  fall  in  with  the 
trades,  d'ye  see,  and  then  you  may  run  for  the  matter  of  a  month 
at  a  time,  with  studding  sails  on  both  sides,  alow  and  aloft,  and 
with  the  cabin-boy  at  the  wheel." 

"  I  know  that  life  is  disp'ut  unsartin,"  said  Remarkable, 
compressing  her  features  to  the  humour  of  her  companion  ;  "but 
I  expect  there  will  be  great  changes  made  in  the  house  to  rights ; 
and  that  you  will  find  a  young  man  put  over  your  head,  as 
there  is  one  that  wants  to  be  over  mine ;  and  after  having  been 
settled  as  long  as  you  have,  Benjamin,  I  should  judge  that  to  be 
hard." 

"  Promotion  should  go  according  to  length  of  service,"  said  the 
"major-domo  ;  "  and  if  so  be  that  thay  ship  a  hand  for  my  berth, 
or  place  a  new  steward  aft,  I  shall  throw  up  my  commission  in 
less  time  than  you  can  put  a  pilot-boat  in  stays.  Thof  Squire 
Dickens" — this  was  a  common  misnomer  with  Benjamin — "is  a 


138  THE  PIONEERS. 

nice  gentleman,  and  as  good  a  man  to  sail  with  as  heart  could 
wish,  yet  I  shall  tell  the  Squire,  d'ye  see,  in  plain  English,  and 
that's  iny  native  tongue,  that  if  so  be  he  is  thinking  of  putting 
any  Johnny  Raw  over  my  head,  why,  I  shall  resign.  I  began 
forrard,  Mistress  Prettybones,  and  worked  my  way  aft  like  a 
man.  I  was  six  months  aboard  a  Garnsey  lugger,  hauling  in  the 
slack  of  the  lee-sheet,  and  coiling  up  rigging.  From  that  I  went 
a  few  trips  in  a  fore-and-after  in  the  same  trade,  which,  aftev 
all,  was  but  a  blind  kind  of  sailing  in  the  dark,  where  a  man 
larns  but  little,  excepting  how  to  steer  by  the  stars.  Wei], 
then,  d'ye  see,  I  larnt  how  a  topmast  should  be  slushed,  and 
how  a  top-gallant  sail  was  to  be  becketted  ;  and  then  I  did 
small  jobs  in  the  cabin,  such  as  mixi  ig  the  skipper's  grog.  'Twaa 
there  I  got  my  taste,  which  you  musj;  have  often  seen  is  excellent. 
Well,  here's  better  acquaintance  to  us." 

Remarkable  noddea  a  return  to  the  compliment,  and  took  a  sip 
of  the  beverage  before  her  ;  for,  provided  it  was  well  sweetened, 
she  had  no  objection  to  a  small  potation  now  and  then.  After 
this  observance  of  courtesy  between  the  worthy  couple,  the 
dialogue  proceeded. 

"  You  have  had  great  experences  in  life,  Benjamin ;  for,  as  the 
Scripter  says, '  They  that  go  down  to  the  sea  in  snips  see  the  works 
of  the  Lord.'" 

"  Ay  1  for  that  matter,  they  in  brigs  and  schooners  too  ;  ana 
it  mought  say  the  works  of  the  devil.  The  sea,  Mistress  Remark- 
able, is  a  great  advantage  to  a  man  in  the  way  of  knowledge,  for 
he  sees  the  fashions  of  nations,  and  the  shape  of  a  country.  Now, 
I  suppose,  for  myself  here,  who  is  but  an  unlarned  man  to  some 
that  follows  the  seas,  I  suppose  that,  taking  the  coast  from  Cape 
Ler  Hogue,  as  low  down  as  Cape  Finish-there,  there  isn't  so 
much  as  a  headland  or  an  inland  that  I  don't  know  either  the 
name  of  it,  or  something  more  or  less  about  it.  Take  enough, 
woman,  to  colour  the  water.  Here's  sugar.  It's  a  sweet  tooth, 
that  fellow  that  you  hold  on  upon  yet,  Mistress  Prettybones. 
But,  as  I  was  saying,  take  the  whole  coast  along.  I  know  it  as 
well  as  the  way  from  here  to  the  Bold  Dragoon  ;  and  a  devil  of 
an  acquaintance  is  that  Bay  of  Biscay.  whew  1  I  wish  you 
could  out  bear  the  wind  blow  there.  It  sometimes  takes  two 
to  hold  one  man's  hair  on  his  head.  Scudding  through  the 
Bay  is  pretty  much  the  same  thing  as  travelling  the  roads 
in  this  country,  up  one  side  of  a  mountain,  and  down  the 
other." 

"  Do  tell ! "  exclaimed  Remarkable  ;  "  and  does  the  sea  run  as 
high  as  moxintains,  Benjamin  ? " 

"  Well,  I  will,  tell  ;  but  first  let's  taste  the  grog.  Hern  I  it's 
the  right  kind  of  stuff,  I  must  say,  that  you  keep  in  this  country  ; 
but  then  you're  so  close  aboard  the  West  Indie;?,  you  make  but  a~ 


1  flONEEES.  139 

•mail  r  m  of  it  By  tlie  lord  Harry,  woman,  if  Garnsey  only  lay 
somewhere  between  Cape  Hatteraa  and  the  Bite  of  Logann,  but 
you'd  sea  rum  cheap  :.  As  to  the  seas,  they  runs  more  in  lippers 
in  .he  Bay  of  Biscay,  unless  it  may  be  in  a  sou'- wester,  when  they 
tuniulc  about  quite  handsomely ;  thof  it's  not  in  the  narrow  seas 
thac  you  are  to  look  for  a  swell.  Just  go  off  the  Western  Islands 
m  a  westerly  blow,  keeping  the  land  on  your  larboard  hand,  with 
tl.e  ship's  head  to  the  southward,  and  bring  to  nnder  a  close-reefd 
topsail  ;  or,  mayhap,  a  reef  d  foresail,  with  a  fore-topmast-staysail 
and  mizzen  staysail,  to  keep  her  up  to  the  sea,  if  she  will  bear  it ; 
and  lay  there  for  the  matter  of  two  watches,  if  you  want  to  tee 
mountains  Why,  good  woman,  I've  been  off  there  in  the  Boadi- 
shey  frigate,  when  you  could  .see  nothing  but  some  such  matter 
as  a  piece  of  sky,  mayhap,  as  big  as  the  mainsail ,  and  then  again, 
there  was  a  hole  under  your  lee-quarter,  big  enough  to  hold  tho 
whole  British  navy  " 

"  Oh  i  for  massy's  sake !  and  wan't  you  afeard,  Benjamin  ?  and 
how  did  you  get  off  ? " 

"  Afeard  ;  who  the  devil  do  you  think  was  to  be  frightened  at 
a  little  salt  water  tumbling  about  his  head  ?  As  for  getting  off, 
when  we  had  enough  of  it,  and  had  washed  our  decks  down  pretty 
well,  we  called  all  hands,  for,  d'ye  see,  the  watch  below  was  in 
their  hammocks,  all  the  same  as  if  they  were  in  one  of  your  best 
bed  rooms,  and  so  we  watched  for  a  smooth  time,  clapt  her  helm 
hard  a  weather,  let  fall  the  foresail,  and  got  the  tack  aboard,  and 
so,  when  we  cot  her  afore  it,  I  ask  you,  Mistress  Prettybones,  if 
she  didn't  walk  1  didn't  ehe  ?  I'm  no  liar,  good  woman,  when  I 
say  that  I  saw  that  ship  jump  from  the  top  of  one  sea  to  another, 
just  like  one  of  these  squirrels  that  can  fly  jumps  from  tree  to  tree." 

"What,  clean  out  of  the  water?"  exclaimed  Remarkable, 
lifting  her  two  laak  arms,  with  their  bony  hands  spread  in 
astonishment 

"  It  was  no  such  easy  matter  to  get  out  of  the  water,  good 
woman  ,  for  the  spray  new  so  that  you  couldn't  tell  which  was 
sea  and  which  was  cloud.  So  there  we  kept  her  afore  it  for  the 
matter  of  two  glasses  The  first  lieutenant  he  cun'd  the  ship 
himself,  and  there  was  four  quartermasters  at  the  wheel,  besides 
the  master,  with  six  forecastle  men  in  the  gun-room,  at  the  reliev- 
ing tackles.  But  then  she  behaved  herself  so  well.  Oh  I  she  was 
a  sweet  ship,  mistress  '  That  one  frigate  was  well  worth  more,  to 
live  in,  than  the  best  house  in  the  island.  If  I  was  king  of 
England,  I'd  have  her  hauled  up  above  Lon'on  Bridge,  and  fither 
up  for  a  palace  ;  because  why  ?  if  anybody  can  afford  to  live 
comfortably,  Hia  Majesty  can. 

M  Well  1  but  Benjamin/*  cried  the  listener,  who  was  in  an  ecstasy 
of  astonishment  at  this  relation  of  the  steward's  dangers,  "  what 
4id  you  dot" 


140  'THE  PIONEERS. 

"  Do !  why  we  did  our  duty  like  hearty  fellows.  Now,  if  th« 
countrymen  of  Mounsheer  Ler  Quawhad  been  aboard  of  her,  they 
would  hare  Just  stuck  her  ashore  on  some  of  them  small  islands  , 
but  we  run  along  the  land,  until  we  found  her  dead  to  leeward 
of  the  mountains  of  Pico,  and  dam'me  if  I  know  to  this  day  how 
we  got  there  ;"  whether  we  jumped  over  the  island,  or  hauled  round 
it ;  out  there  we  was,  ana  there  we  lay,  under  easy  sail,  fore- 
reaching,  first  upon  one  tack,  and  then  upon  t'other,  so  as  to  poke 
her  nose  out  now  and  then,  and  take  a  look  to  wind'ard,  till  the 
gale  blow*d  it's  pipe  out." 

"  I  wonder  now ! "  exclaimed  Remarkable,  to  whom  most  of  the 
terms  used  by  Benjamin  were  perfectly  unintelligible,  but  who 
had  got  a  confused  idea  of  a  raging  tempest.  "  It  must  be  an 
awful  life,  that  going  to  sea  !  and  I  don't  feel  astonishment  that 
you're  so  affronted  with  the  thoughts  of  being  forced  to  quit  a 
comfortable  home  like  this.  Not  that  a  body  cares  much  for't,  as 
there's  more  houses  than  one  to  live  in.  Why,  when  the  Judge 
agreed  with  me  to  come  and  live  with  him,  I'd  no  more  notion  of 
stopping  any  time  than  anything.  I  happened  in,  just  to  see 
how  the  family  did,  about  a  week  after  Miss  Temple  died,  think- 
ing to  be  back  home  agin  night ;  but  the  family  was  in  sitch 
a  distressed  way  that  I  couldn't  but  stop  awhile  and  help  'em 
on.  I  thought  the  situation  a  good  one,  seeing  that  I  was  an 
unmarried  body,  and  they  were  so  much  in  want  of  help ;  so  I 
tarried." 

"  And  a  long  time  have  you  left  your  anchors  down  in  the 
same  place,  mistress.  I  think  you  jpu«?t  .find  that  the  ship  rides 
easy." 

"  How  you  talk,  Benjamin  !  there's  no  believing  a  word  you 
say.  I  must  say  that  the  Judge  and  Squire  Jones  have  both  acted 
quite  clever,  so  Ion"  ;  but -I  see  that  now  we  shall  have  a  specimen 
to  the  contrary.  I  heer'n  say  that  the  Judge  was  gone  a  great 
'broad,  and  that  he  meant  to  bring  his  darter  hum,  but  I  didn't 
calculate  on  sitch  carrins  on.  To  my  notion,  Benjamin,  she's 
likely  to  turn  out  a  desp'ut  ugly  gal." 

"  Ugly  ! "  echoed  the  major-domo,  opening  eyes  that  were  be 
ginning  to  close  in  a  very  suspicious  sleepiness  in  wide  amazement 
'  By  the  lord  Harry,  woman,  I  should  as  soon  think  of  calling  the 
Boadishey  a  clumsy  frigate.  What  the  devil  would  you  have  r( 
Arn't  her  eyes  as  bright  as  the  morning  and  evening  stars  1  and 
isn't  her  hair  as  black  and  glistening  as  rigging  that  nas  just  had 
a  lick  of  tar  1  doesn't  she  move  as,  stately  as  a  first-rate  in  smooth 
water  on  a  bow -line?  Why,  woman,  the  figurehead  of  the 
Boadishey  was  a  fool  to  her,  and  that,  as  I've  often  heard  the 
captain  say,  was  an  image  of  a  great  queen  ;  and  arn't  queens 
always  comely,  woman  1  for  who  do  you  think  would  be  a  king, 
and  not  choose  a  handsome  bedfellow  ?  " 


THE  PIONEERS.  "141 

"  Talk  tiecent,  Benjamin,"  said  the  housekeeper,  ft  or  I  won't 
keep  you  r  company.  I  don't  gainsay  her  being  comely  to  look 
on,  out  1  will  maintain  that  she's  likely  to  show  poor  conduct. 
She  seems  to  think  herself  too  good  to  talk  to  a  oody.  From 
what  &quire  Jones  had  tejl'd  me,  I  some  expected  to  ho  quite 
captivated  by  her  company.  Now,  to  my  reckoning,  Lowizy 
Gram  is  much  more  pritty  behaved  than  Betsy  Temple.  She 
wooiln't  so  much  as  hold  discourse  with  me  when  I  wanted 
to  ask  her  how  she  felt  on  coming  home,  and  missing  ber 
mam.  my." 

"  Perhaps  she  didn't  understand  you,  woman :  you  are  none 
of  the  best  Hnguister ;  and  then  Miss  Lizzy  has  been  exercising 
the  King's  English  under-  a  great  Lon'on  lady,  and,  for  that 
matter,  can  talk  the  language  almost  as  well  as  myself,  «r  any 
native-born  British  subject.  You've  forgot  your  schooling,  and 
the  young  mistress  is  a  great  scollard." 

"Mistress  !"  cried  Remarkable,  "don't  make  one  out  to  be  a 
nigger,  Benjamin.  Sho'p  no  mistress  of  mine,  and  never  will  be. 
And  as  to  speech,  I  hold  myself  as  second  to  nobody  out  of  New 
England.  J  was  born  and,  raised  in  Essex  county ;  and  I'ro 
always  heer'n  say,  that  the  Bay  State  was  provarbal  for  pro- 
nounsation ! " 

"  I've  often  heard  of  that  Bar  of  State,"  said  Benjamin,  "  but 
can't  say  that  I've  ever  been  in  it  nor  do  I  know  exactly  where 
away  it  ia  that  it  lays  ;  but  I  suppose  there  is  good  anchorage  in 
it,  and  that  it's  no  bad  place  for  the  taking  of  ling  ;  but  for  size, 
it  can't  be  so  much  as  a  yawl  to  a  sloop  of  war,  compared  with 
the  Bay  of  Biscay,  or,  mayhap,  Tor-bay.  And  as  for  language, 
if  you  want  to  hear  the  dictionary  overhauled,  like  a  long-fine  in 
a  blow,  you  must  go  to  Wapping,  and  listen  to  the  Lon'oners,  as 
they  deal  out  their  lingo.  Howsomever,  I  see  no  such  mighty 
matter  that  Miss  Lizzy  has  been  doing  to  you,  good  woman,  BO 
take  another  drop  of  your  brew,  and  forgive  and  forget  like  an 
honest  soul." 

"  No,  indeed  1  and  I  shan't  do  rich  a  thing,  Benjamin.  ¥his 
treatment  is  a  nowity  to  me,  and  what  I  won't  put  up  with.  I 
have  a  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  at  use,  besides  a  oed  and  twenty 
sheep,  to  good  ;  and  I  don't  crave  to  live  in  a  house  where  a 
body  musn't  call  a  young  woman  by  her  given  name  to  her  face. 
I  will  call  her-  Betsy  as  much  as  I  please  ;  ifs  a  free  country 
and  no  one  can  stop  me.  I  did  intend  to  *top  while  summer, 
but  1  shall  quit  to-morrow  morning  ;  and  I  wall  talk  just  as  1 
please," 

"  For  that  matter,  Mistress  Remarkable,"  paid  Benjamin,  "theio'a 
none  here  who  will  contradict  you  ;  for  I'm  of  opinion  that  it 
would  be  as  easy  to  stop  a  hurricane  with  a  Barcelony  hankerchy. 
£3  to  bring  up  your  tongue  when  the  stopper  is  oft  I  «ay,  Rood 


14*  TSE  PIONEERS 

woman,  do  they  grow  many  monkeys  along  die  shores  of  that  Bay 
of  State?" 

"  ifou're  a  monkey  yourself,  Mr.  Penguillum,"  cried  the  enraged 
housekeeper,  "  or  a  bear  I  a  black,  beastly  bear !  and  an't  fit  for  a 
decent  woman  to  stay  with.  I'll  never  keen  your  company  agin, 
sir,  if  !  should  live  thirty  years  with  the  Judge.  Sitch  talk  is 
more  befitting  the  kitchen  than  the  keeping-room  of  a  house  of 
me  who  is  well  to  do  in  the  world." 

"  Look  you,  Mistress  Pitty — Patty — Prettybones,  mayhap  I'm 
some  such  matter  as  a  bear,  as  they  will  find  who  come  to  grapple 
with  me  ;  but  dam'me  if  I'm  a  monkey — a  thing  that  chatters 
without  knowing  a  word  of  what  it  says — a  parrot ;  that  will 
hold  a  dialogue,  for  what  an  honest  man  kno\*s,  in  a  dozen 
languages  ;  mayhap  in  the  Bay  of  State  lingo  ;  mayhap  in  Greek 
or  Hign  Dutch.  But  dost  it  know  what  it  int.in a  itself  ?  canst 
answer  me  that,  good  woman  ?  Your  midshipman  can  sing  out, 
and  pass  the  word,  when  the  captain  gives  the  order,  but  just  set 
him  adrift  by  himself,  and  let  him  work  the  ship  of  his  own 
head,  and,  stop  my  grog,  if  you  don't  find  all  the  Johnny  Raws 
laughing  at  him." 

"  Stop  your  grog,  indeed  ! "  said  Remarkable,  rising  with  great 
indignation,  and  seizing  a  candle ;  "you're  groggy  now,  Benjamin, 
and  I'll  quit  the  room  before  I  hear  any  misbecoming  words  from 
you." 

The  housekeeper  retired,  with  a  manner  but  little  less 
dignified,  as  she  thought,  than  the  air  of  the  heiress,  muttering,, 
as  she  drew  the  door  after  her,  with  a  noise  like  the  report  of  ft 
musket,  the  opprobrious  terms  of  "  drunkard,"  "  sot,"  and  "  beast." 

"Who's  that  you  say  is  drunk?"  cried  Benjamin  fiercely, 
rising  and  making  a  movement  towards  Remarkable.  "You  talk 
of  mustering  yourself  with  a  lady  I  you're  just  fit^to  grumble  and 
find  fault.  Where  the  devil  should  you  larn  behaviour  and 
dictionary  ?  in  your  damned  Bay  of  State,  ha  ? " 

Benjamin  here  fell  back  in  his  chair,  and  soon  cave  vent 
to  certain  ominous  sounds,  which  resembled  not  a  little  the 
growling  of  his  favourite  animal,  the  bear  itself.  Before,  how- 
ever, he  was  quite  locked  —  to  use  the  language  that  would 
suit  the  Della-cruscan  humour  of  certain  refinecl  minds  of  the 
present  day  — "  in  the  arms  of  Morpheus,"  he  spoke  aloud, 
observing  due  pauses  between  his  epithets,  the  impressive 
terras  of  "  monkey,"  "  parrot,"  "  pic  -  nic,"  "  tar  -  pot,"  and 
M  linguisters." 

We  shall  not  attempt  to  explain  his  meaning,  nor  connect 
his  sentences ;  and  our  readers  must  be  satisfied  with  our 
informing  them,  that  they  were  expressed  with  all  that  cool- 
ness of  contempt  that  a  man  might  well  h4  supposed  to  feel  for 
a  monkey. 


THE  PIONEERS  143 

Nearly  No  hours  passed  in  this  sleep,  before  the  major-domo 
v.-as  awa'kened  by  the  noisy  entrance  of  Kicbard,  Major  Hartmann, 
and  the  master  of  the  mansion.  Benjamin  so  far  rallied  his 
confused  faculties,  a«  to  shape  the  course  of  the  two  former  to 
their  respective  apartments,  when  he  disappeared  himself,  leav- 
ing the  ta«k  of  «ecurincj  the  house  to  him  who  was  most 
interested  in  its  safely.  Lock?  and  bars  were  but  little  attended 
to  in  the  early  day  of  that  settlement ;  and  so  soon  as  Manna- 
duke  had  given  an  eye  to  the  enormou*  fires  of  his  dwelling, 
he  retired.  With  this  act  of  prudence  closes  the  first  night  of 
Mir  t»K 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Watch,  (aside).  Some  treason,  masters— 
X et  stand  close.  Much  ado  about  Nothing. 

I*  was  fortunate  for  more  than  one  of  the  bacchanalians  who 
left  the  "Bold  Dragoon"  late  in  the  evening,  that  the  severe 
cold  of  the  season  was  becoming  rapidly  less  dangerous,  as  they 
threaded  the  different  mazea  through  the  snow -banks  that 
led  to  their  respective  dwellings.  Thin,  driving  clouds  began, 
towards  morning,  to  flit  across  the  heavens,  and  the  moon  set 
behind  a  volume  of  vapour,  that  was  impelled  furiously 
towards  the  north,  carrying  with  it  the  softer  atmosphere  from 
the  distant  ocean.  The  rising  eun  was  obscured  by  denser 
and  increasing  columns  of  clouds,  while  the  southerly  wind, 
that  rushed  up  the  valley,  brought  the  never-failing  symptoms 
of  a  thaw. 

It  was  quite  late  in  the  morning  before  Elizabeth,  observing 
the  faint  glow  which  appeared  on  the  eastern  mountain,  long 
after  the  light  of  the  sun  had  struck  the  opposite  hills,  ventured 
from  the  house,  with  a  view  to  gratify  ner  curiosity  with  a 
glance  by  daylight  at  the  surrounding  objects,  before  the  tardy 
revellers  of  the  Christmas  eve  should  make  their  appearance  at 
the  breakfast  table.  While  she  was  drawing  the  folds  of  her 
pelisse  more  closely  around  her  form,  to  guard  against  a  cold 
that  was  yet  great,  though  rapidly  yielding,  in  the  small 
enclosure  that  opened  in  the  rear  of  the  house  on  a  little 
thicket  of  low  pines,  that  were  springing  up  where  trees  of  a 
mightier  growth  had  lately  stood,  she  was  surprised  at  the  voice 
of  Mr.  Jones. 

"  Merry  Christmas,  merry  Christmas  to  you,  cousin  Bess,"  he 
shouted.  "  Ah,  ha  !  an  early  riser,  I  see ;  but  I  knew  I 
should  steal  a  march  on  you.  I  never  was  in  a  house  yet 
where  I  didn't  get  the  f '.-at  Christmas  greeting  on  every  soul  in 
it,  man,  woman,  and  chad  ;  great  and  small ;  black,  white,  and 
yellow.  But  stop  a  minute,  till  I  can  just  slip  on  my  coat ; 
you  are  about  to  look  at  the  improvements,  1  see,  which  no 
one  can  explain  so  well  as  I,  who  planned  them  all.  It  will 
be  an  hour  before  'duke  and  the  Major  can  sleep  off  Mrs. 

w 


THE  PIONEERS.  146 

Hoflister's  confounded  distillations,  and  BO  IT1  come  down  and 
go  with  you." 

Elizabeth  turned,*  and  observed  her  cousin  in  his  night-cap, 
with  his  head  oat  of  his  bed-room  window,  where  his  zeal  lor 
pre-eminence,  in  defiance  of  the  weather,  bad  impelled  him  to 
thrust  it.  She  laughed,  and  promising  to  wait  for  his  company, 
re-entered  the  house,  making  her  appearance  again,  holding  in 
her  hand  a  packet  that  was  secured  by  several  large  and  important 
seals,  just  in  time  to  meet  the  gentleman. 

"Come,  Bessy,  come,"  he  cried,  drawing  one  of  her  anna 
through  his  own  ;  "the  enow  begins  to  give,  bat  it  will  bear  us 
yet  Don't  you  snuff  old  Pennsylvania  in  the  very  air  ?  This  is 
a  vile  climate,  girl ; .'  now  at  sunset,  hist  evening,  it  was  cold 
enough  to  freeze  a  man's  zeal,  and  that,  I  can  tell  you,  takes  a 
thermometer  near  zero  .for  me  ;  then  about  nine  or  ten  it  began 
to  moderate  ;  at  tvrelve  it  was  quite  mild,  and  here  all  the  rest 
of  the  night  I  have  been  so  hot  as  not  to  bear  a  blanket  on  the 
bed. — Holla  !  Aggy,— merry  Christmas,  Aggy — I  say,  do  you  hear 
me,  you  black  dog!  there's  a  dollar  for  you;  and  if  the  gentlemen 
get  up  before  I  come  back,  do  you  come  out  and  let  me  know. 
I  wouldn't  have  'duke  get  .the  start  of  me  for  the  worth  of  your 
head." 

The  black  caught  the  money  from  the  enow,  and  promising  a 
due  degree  of  watchfulness,  he  gave  the  dollar  a  whirl  of  twenty 
feet  in  the  air,  and  catching  it  as  it  fell,  in  the  palm  of  his  hand, 
he  withdrew  to  the  kitchen,  to  exhibit  his  present,  with  a  heart 
as- light  as  his  face  was  happy  in  its  expression. 

"Oh,  rest  easy,  my  dear  coz,"  said  the  young  lady ;  "I  took 
a  look  in  at  my  father,  who  is  likely  to  sleep  an  hour ;  and, 
by  using  due  vigilance;  you  will  secure  all  the  honours  of  the 
season." 

"  Why,  'duke  is  your  father,  Elizabeth  j  but  'duke  la  a  -man 
who  likes  to  be  foremost,  even  in  trifles.  Now,  as  for  myself, 
I  <jare  for  no  such  things,  except  in  the  way  of  competition ; 
for  a  thing,  which  is  of  no  moment  in  itself,  may  be  made  of 
importance  in  the  way  of  competition.  So  it  is  with  your 
father— he  loves  to  be  first ;  but  I  only  struggle  with  him  as  a 
competitor." 

"It's  all  very  clear,  sir,"  said  Elizabeth;  "you  would  not 
care  a  fig  for  distinction,  if  there  were  no  one  in  the  world 
but  yourself ;  but  as  there  happen  to  be  a  great  many  others, 
why,  you  must  struggle  with  them  all  —  in  the  way  of  com- 
petition." 

"  Exactly  so ;  I  see  you  are  a  clever  girl,  Bess,  and  one  who 
does  credit  to  her  masters.  It  was  my  plan  to  send  you  to  that 
school ;  for  when  your  father  first  mentioned  the  thing,  I  wrote  a 
private  letter  for  advice  to  a  judicious  friend  in  the  city,  who 


U6  THE  PIONEERS. 

recommended  the  very  school  you  went  to.  'Duke  was  a  little 
obstinate  at  first,  as  usual,  but  when  he  heard  the  truth,  he  was 
obliged  to  send  you." 

"Well,  a  truce  to  'duke's  foibles,  sir;  he  is  my  father; 
and  if  you  knew  what  he  has  been  doing  for  you  while 
we  were  in  Albany,  you  would  deal  more  tenderly  with  his 
character." 

"  For  me  ! "  cried  Richard,  pausing  a  moment  in  his  walk  to 
reflect  "  Oh  !  he  got  the  plans  of  the  new  Dutch  meeting-houso 
for  me,  I  suppose  ;  out  I  care  very  little  about  it,  for  a  man,  of  a 
certain  kind  of  talent,  is  seldom  aided  by  any  foreign  suggestions; 
his  own  brain  is  the  best  architect." 

"  No  such  thing,"  said  Elizabeth,  looking  provokingly 
knowing. 

"  No  1  let  me  see — perhaps  he  had  my  name  put  in  the  bill 
for  the  new  turnpike,  as  a  director  ? " 

"  He  might  possibly «.  but  it  is  not  to  such  an  appointment  that 
I  allude." 

"  Such  an  appointment ! "  repeated  Mr.  Jones,  who  began  to 
fidget  with  curiosity  ;  "  then  it  is  an  appointment.  If  it  is  in 
the  militia,  I  won't  take  it." 

"  No,  no,  it  is  not  in  the  militia,"  cried  Elizabeth,  showing 
the  packet  in  her  hand,  and  then  drawing  it  back,  with  a 
coquettish  air ;  "  it  is  an  office  of  both  honour  and  emolument" 

"Honour  and  emolument !"  echoed 'Richard,  in  painful  sus- 
pense; "show  me  the  paper,  girl.  Say,  is  it  an  office  where 
there  is  anything  to  do  ? 

"  You  have  hit  it,  cousin  Dickon  ;  it  is  the  executive  office  of 
the  county ;  at  least  so  said  my  father,  when  he  gave  me  this 
packet  to  offer  you  as  a  Christmas-box. — '  Surely,  if  anything 
will  please  Dickon,'  he  said,  '  it  will  be  to  fill  the  executive  chair 
of  the  county.' " 

"  Executive  chair  !  what  nonsense  1 "  cried  the  impatient 
gentleman,  snatching  the  packet  from  her  hand ;  "  there  is  no 
such  office  in  the  county.  Eh  1  what  1  it  is,  I  declare,  a  com- 
mission, appointing  Richard  Jones,  Esquire,  sheriff  of  the  county. 
Well,  this  is  kind  in  'duke,  positively.  I  must  say  'duke  has  a 
warm  heart,  and  never  forgets  his  friends.  Sheriff!  High 

Sheriff  of 1  It  sounds  'well,  Bess,  but  it  shall  execute 

better.  'Duke  is  a  judicious  man,  after  all,  a»d  kndws  human 
nature  thoroughly.  I'm  much  obliged  to  him,"  continued 
Richard,  using  the  skirt  of  his  coat,  unconsciously  to  wipe  his 
eyes  ;  "  though  I  would  do  as  much  for  him  any  day,  as  he  shall 
see,  if  I  have  an  opportunity  to  perform  any  of  the  duties  of 
my  office  on  him.  It  shall  be  done,  cousin  Besc — it  shall  be 
done,  I  iay.  —  How  this  cursed  south  wind  makes  one's  ere* 
water  I"  ' 


THE  Pi,  U7- 

11  Now,  Richard,"  aaid  the  laughing  maiden,  "now  I  think  you 
will  find  something  to  do.  I  have  oiten  heard  you  complain  of 
old,  that  there  was  nothing  to  do  in  this  new  country,  while  to 
my  eyes  it  seemed  as  if  everything  remained  to  be  done." 

"  Do ! a  echoed  Richard,  who  blew  his  nose,  raised  his  little 
form  to  its  greatest  elevation,  and  looked  serious.  "  Everything 
depends  on  system,  girl.  I  shall  sit  down  this  afternoon,  ard 
--ystematize  the  county.  I  must  have  deputies,  you  know.  1 
vdll  divide  the  county  into  districts,  over  which  I  will  place  niv 
deputies  ;  and  I  will  have  one  for  the  village,  which  I  will 
call  my  home  department.  Let  me  see — oh  !  Benjamin !  yes, 
Benjamin  will  make  a  good  deputy  ;  he  has  been  naturalized,  and 
would  answer  admirably,  if  he  could  only  ride  on  horseback." 

"Yes,  Mr.  Sheriff,"  said  his  companion;  "and  as  he  under- 
stands ropes  so  well,  he  would  be  very  expert,  should  occasion 
happen  for  his  services,  in  another  way." 

"No,"  interrupted  the  other,  "I  natter  myself  that  no  man 
could  hang  a  man  better  than — that  is — ha— oh  !  yes,  Benjamin 
would  do  extremely  well,  in  such  an  unfortunate  dilemma,  if  he 
could  be  persuaded  to  attempt  it.  But  I  should  despair  of  the 
thing.  I  never  could  induce  him  to  hang,  or  teach  him  to  ride 
on  horseback.  I  must  seek  another  deputy." 

"Well,  sir,  as  you  have  abundant  leisure  for  all  these  important 
affairs,  I  beg  that  you  will  forget  that  you  are  High  Sheriff,  and 
devote  some  little  of  your  time  to  gallantry.  Where  are  the 
beauties  and  improvements  which  you  were  to  show  me?'' 

"  Where  ?  why,  everywhere.  Here  I  have  laid  out  some  new 
streets  ;  and  when  they  are  opened,  and  the  trees  felled,  and  they 
are  all  built  up,  will  they  not  make  a  fine  town  ?  Well,  'duke  is 
a  liberal-hearted  fellow,  with  all  his  stubbornness. — Yes.  yes,  I 
must  have  at  least  four  deputies,  besides  a  gaoler." 

"  I  see  no  streets  in  the  direction  of  our  walk,"  eaid  Elizabeth, 
"  unless  you  call  the  short  avenues  through  these  pine  bushes  by 
that  name.  Surely  you  do  not  contemplate  building  houses,  very 
soon,  in  that  forest  before  us,  and  in  those  ewainpe.' 

;t  Wa  must  run  our  streets  by  the  compass,  coz,  and  disregard 
trees,  hills,  ponds,  stumps,  or,  in  fact,  anything  but  posterity. 
Such  is  the  will  of  your  father,  and  your  father,  you  know" — 

"  Had  you  made  Sheriff,  Mr.  Jones,"  interrupted  the  lady,  with 
a  tone  tnat  said  very  plainly  to  the  gentleman  that  he  was 
touching  a  forbidden  subject. 

" I  know  it,  I  know  it,"  cried  Richard  ;  "and  if  it  were  in  my 
power,  I'd  make  'duke  a  king.  He  is  a  noble-hearted  fellow,  and 
would  make  an  excellent  king ;  that  is,  if  he  had  a  good  prims 
minister. — But  who  have  we  here  ?  voices  in  the  bushes ; — a 
combination  about  mischief,  I'll  wager  my  commission.  Let  us 
draw  near,  and  examine  a.  little  into  the  matter." 


14*  THE  PIONEERS. 

During  this  dialogue,  as  the  parties  had  kept  in  motion, 
Richard  and  his  -cousin  advanced  some  distance  from  the  house, 
into  the  open  space  in  the  rear  of  the  village,  where,  as  may  be 
gathered  from  the  conversation,  streets  were  planned,  and  future 
dwellings  contemplated  ;  but  where,  in  truta,  the  only  mark  of 
improvement  that  was  to  be  seen,  was  a  neglected  clearing  along 
the  skirt  of  a  dark  forest  of  mighty  pines,  over  which  the  bushes 
or  sprouts  of  the  same  tree  had  sprung  up,  to  a  height  that  inter- 
spersed the  fields  of  snow  with  little  thickets  of  evergreen.  The 
rushing  of  the  wind,  as  it  whistled  through  the  tops  of  these 
mimic  trees,  prevented  the  footsteps  of  the  pair  from  being  heard, 
while  the  branches  concealed  their  persons.  Thus  aided,  the 
listeners  drew  nigh  to  a  spot  where  the  young  hunter,  Leather- 
stocking,  and  the  Indian  chief  were  collected  in  an  earnest 
consultation.  The  former  was  urgent  in  his  manner,  and  seemed 
to  think  the  subject  of  deep  importance,  while  Natty  appeared  to 
listen  with  more  than  his  usual  attention  to  what  the  other  was 
saying.  Mohegan  stood  a  little  on  one  side,  with  his  head  sunken 
on  his  chest,  his^ hair  falling  forward,  so  as  to  conceal  most  of  his 
features,  and  his  whole  attitude  expressive  of  deep  dejection  if 
not  of  shame. 

"  Let  us  withdraw,"  whispered  Elizabeth  ;  <{  we  are  intruders, 
and  can  have  no  right  to  listen  to  tin  secrets  of  these  men." 

"  No  right ! "  returned  Richard,  a  little  impatiently,  in  the 
same  tone,  and  drawing  her  arm  so  forcibly  through  his  ov/n  as 
to  prevent  her  retreat ;  "  you  forget,  cousin,  that  it  is  my  duty  to 
preserve  the  peace  of  the  county,  and  see  the  laws  executed. 
These  wanderers  frequently  commit  depredations  ;  though  I  do 
not  think  John  would  do  anything  secretly.  Poor  fellow  1  he 
was  quite  boozy  last  night,  and  hardly  seems  to  be  over  it  yet 
Let  us  draw  nigher,  and  hear  what  they  say." 

Notwithstanding  the  lady's  reluctance,  Richard,  stimulated 
doubtless  by  his  nice  sense  of  duty,  •prevailed ;  and  they  were 
scon  so  near  as  distinctly  io  hear  sounds. 

"  The  bird  must  be  had,"  raid  Natty,  "  by  fair  means  or  foul. 
Heigho  !  I've  known  the  time,  lad,  when  the  wild  turkeys  wasn't 
over  scarce  in  the  country ;  though  you  must  po  into  the  Virginy 
gaps,  if  you  want  them  now.  To  be  sure,  there  is  a  different 
taste  to  a  partridge  and  a  well-fattened  turkey  ;  though,  to  my 
eating,  beaver's  tail  and  bear's  hams  makes  the  best  of  food.  But 
then  every  one  has  his  own  appetite.  I  gave  the  last  farthing,  all 
to  that  shilling,  to  the  French  trader,  this  very  morning,  as  I 
came  through  the  town,  for  powder  ;  so,  a?  you  have  nothing,  we 
can  have  but  one  shot  for  it.  I  know  that  Biliy  Kirby  is  out, 
and  means  to  have  a  pull  of  the  trigger  at  that  very  turkey. 
John  has  a  true  eye  for  a  single  fire,'  and  somehow,  my  hand 
thakes  so,  whenever  I  have  to  do  anything  extrawnary,  that  I 


THE  PIONEERS.  U9 

often  lo*o  iuy  aim.  Now,  when  I  killed  the  she-Lear  this  fall, 
with  her  cubs,  though  they  were  BO  mighty  ravenous,  I  knocked 
them  over  cue  at  a  shot,  and  loaded  while  I  dodged  the  trees  in 
the  bargain  ;  but  this  la  a  very  different  thing,  Mr.  Oliver." 

"This,"  cried  the  young  man  with  an  accent  that  sounded  as  Lf 
he  took  a  bitter  pleasure  in  his  poverty,  while  he  held  a  shilling 
up  before  hia  eyes — "  this  is  all  the  treasure  that  I  possess — this 
and  my  rifle  !  Now,  indeed,  I  have  become  a  man  of  the  woods, 
and  must  place  my  sole  dependence  on  the  chase.  Come,  Natty, 
let  us  stake  the  last  penny  for  the  bird  ;  with  your  aim,  it  cannot 
fail  to  be  successful. 

"  I  would  rather  it  should  be  John,  lad  ;  my  heart  jumps  into 
my  mouth,  because  you  set  your  mind  so  much  on't ;  and  I'm 
Kartam  that  T  shall  miss  the  bird.  Them  Indians  can  shoot  one 
nine  as  well  as  another ;  nothing  ever  troubles  them.  I  say, 
Johzi,  l.ere's  a  shilling  ;  take  my  ririe,  and  get  a  shot  at  the  big 
t  irkey  they've  put  up  at  the  stump.  Mr.  Oliver  is  over  anxious 
for  the  creater,  and  I'm  sure  to  do  nothing  when  I  have  over 
anxiety  about  it." 

The  Indian  turned  his  head  gloomily,  and,  after  looking 
keenly  for  a  moment,  in  profound  silence,  at  his  companions,  he 
replied, — 

"  When  John  was  young,  eyesight  was  not  straighter  than  his 
bullet.  The  Mingo  squaws  cried  out  at  the  sound  of  his  rifle. 
The  Mingo  warriors  were  made  squaws.  When  did  he  ever  shoot 
twice  I  The  eagle  went  above  the  clouds,  \vhen  he  passed  the 
wigwam  of  Chingachgook  ;  his  feathers  were  plenty  with  tho 
women.  —  But  see,"  he  said,  raising  his  voice  from  the  low, 
mournful  tones  in  which  ie  had  spoken  to  a  pitch  of  keen 
excitement,  and  stretching  forth  botl  hands— "they  shake  like  a 
deer  at  the  wolfs  howl  Is  John  old  ?  When  was  a  Mohican  a 
pquaw,  with  seventy  win'ers ,  No  the  white  man  brings  old 
age  with  him — rum  is  his  tomahawk  : ' 

"Why  then  do  you  ise  t,  olc,  man?'  exclaimed  the  young 
hunter;  "why  will  one,  BO  noble  by  nature,  aid  the  devices  of 
the  devil  by  making  himself  a  beast  I " 

"  Beast  I  is  John  a  beast  ?"  repl  ed  the  Indian  slowly  ;  "yes  ; 
you  say  no  1  e  child  of  the  Fire  cater  1  John  is  a  beast.  The 
smokes  were  once  few  in  these  hills  The  deer  would  lick  the 
hand  of  a  white  man,  and  the  birds  rest  on  his  head.  They  wero 
strangers  to  him.  My  fathers  came  from  the  shores  of  the  salt 
lake  They  fled  before  rum.  They  came  to  tlieir  grandfather, 
and  tlicj  lived  in  peace  ;  or,  when  they  did  raise  the  hatchet,  it 
was  to  <*trike  it  inU  the  brain  of  a  Mingo.  They  gathered  around 
tlio  od  ,ncil-fire,  and  what  they  said  was  done.  Then  John  was 
tho  man  But  warriors  and  Jraders  with  Ijghf  eyes  followed 
them  One  brought  the  long  knife,  and  one  brought  rum.  They 

L 


150  THE  PIONEERS. 

were  more  than  the  pines  on  the  inounUihis  ;  ancl  tliey  broke  up 
the  councils,  and  took  the  lands.  The  evil  Bpirii  was  in  their 
jug3,  and  they  let  him  loose. — Yes,  yes — you  say  no  lie,  Young 
Eagle  ;  John  is  a  Christian  beast" 

"  Forgive  me,  old  warrior,"  cried  the  youth,  grasping  hid  hand  ; 
"  I  should  be  the  last  to  reproach  you.  The  curses  of  heaven 
light  on  the  cupidity  that  has  destroyed  euch  a  race.  Remember, 
John,  that  I  am  of  your  family,  and  ir,  is  now  my  greatest 
pride." 

The  muscles  of  Moheg^n  relaxed  a  little,  and  he  said  more 
mildly, — 

"  You  are  a  Delaware  my  son ;  your  words  are  not  heard— 
John  cannot  shoot.'' 

"  I  thought  that  lad  had  Indian  blood  in  him,"  whispered 
Richard,  "  by  the  awkward  way  he  handled  my  horses  last  night. 
You  see,  coz,  they  never  use  harness.  But  the  poor  fellow  shall 
have  two  shots  at  the  turkey,  if  he  wants  it,  for  I'll  give  him 
another  shilling  myself ;  though,  perhaps,  1  had  better  offer  to 
shoot  for  him.  They  have  got  up  their  Christmas  sports,  I  find, 
in  the  bushes  yonder,  where  you  hear  tHe  laughter ; — though  it  is 
a  queer  taste  this  chap  has  for  turkey ;  not  but  what  it  is  good 
eating  too." 

"  Hold,  cousin  Richard,"  exclaimed  Elizabeth,  clinging  to  his 
arm,  "  would  it  be  delicate  to  offer  a  shilling  to  that  gentleman  ? " 

"  Gentleman  again  !  do  you  think  a  half-breed,  like  him,  will 
refuse  money  ?  No,  no,  girl ;  he  will  take  the  shilling ;  ay  !  and 
even  rum  Jx>o,  notwithstanding  he  moralizes  so  much  about  it. — 
But  I'll  give  the  lad  a  chance  for  his  turkey,  for  that  Billy  Kirby 
is  one  of  the  best  marksmen  in  the  country ;  that  is,  if  we  except 
the — the  gentleman." 

"  Then,  stud  Elizabeth,  who  found  her  strength  unequal  to  her 
will,  -"then,  "sir,  I  will  speak." — She  advanced,  with  an  air  of 
determination,  in  front  of  her  cousin,  and  entered  the  little  circle 
of  bushes  that  surrounded  .the  trio  of  hunters.  Her  appearance 
startled  the  youth,  who  at  first  made  an  unequivocal  motion 
towards  retiring,  but,  recollecting  himself,  bowed,  by  lifting  his 
cap,  and  resumed  his  attitude  of  leaning  on  his  rifle.  Neither 
Natty  nor  Mohegan  betrayed  any  emotion,  though  the  appearance 
of  Elizabeth  was  so  entirely  unexpected. 

"  I  find,"  she  said,  "  that  the  old  Christmas  sport  of  shooting 
the  turkey  is  yet  in  use  among  you. — I  feel  inclined  to  try  my 
chance  for  a  bird.  Which  of  you  will  take  this  money,  and,  after 
paying  my  fee,  give  me  the  aid  of  his  rifle  ? " 
'  "  Is-- this  a  sport  for  a  lady  ? "  exclaimed  the  young  hunter,  with 
an  emphasis  that  could  not  well  be  mistaken,  and  with  a  rapidity 
that  showed  he  spoke  without  consulting  anything  but  feeling. 

"  Why  not,  Mr  ?    If  it  be  inhuman,  the  sin  is  not  confined  to 


fUK  PIONEERS.  W 

*ne  sex  only  But  T  have-  my  humour  as  well  as  others.  I  ask 
-iOt  your  assistance  ;  but  '—turning  to  Natty,  and  dropping  ft 
dollar  in  his  hand—"  lliis  old  veteran  of  the  forest  will  not  be  so 
ungallant  as  to  refuse  one  fire  for  a  lady." 

Leather-stocking  dropped  the  money  into  his  pouch,  and 
throwing  up  the  end  of  nis  rifle,  he  freshened  his  priming  ;  ami, 
first  laughing  in  his  usual  manner,  In-  threw  the  piece  over  hw 
shoulder,  and  said, — 

"  If  Billy  Kirby  don't  get  the  bird  before  me,  and  the  French- 
man's powder  don't  hang  fire  this  damp  morning,  you'll  see  as 
fine  a  turkey  dead,  in  a  few  minutes,  as  ever  was  eaten  in  the 
Judge's  shanty.  I  have  know'd  the  Dutch  women,  on  the 
Mohawk  and  Scoharie,  count  greatly  on  coming  to  the  merry- 
makings ;  and  so,  lad,  you  shouldn't  be  short  with  the  lady. 
Come,  let  us  go  forward  ,  for  if  we  wait,  the  finest  bird  will  be 
gone." 

"But  I  have  a  right  before  yon,  Natty,  and  shall  try  my  own 
luck  first.  You  will  excuse  me,  Miss  Temple  ;  I  have  much 
reason  to  wish  that  bird,  and  may  seem  uugallnnt,  but  I  must 
claim  my  privileges." 

"  Claim  anything  that  is  justly  your  own,  sir,"  returned  the 
lady  ;  "we  are  both  adventurers,  and  this  is  my  knight.  I  trust 
my  fortune  to  his  hand  and  eye.  Lead  on.  Sir  Leather-stocking, 
and  we  will  follow." 

Natty,  who  seemed  pleased  with  tlu>  frank  address  of  thu 
young  and  beauteous  Elizabeth,  who  had  BO  singularly  intrusted 
him  with  such  a  commission,  returned  the  bright  smile  with 
which  she  had  addressed  biiu  by  hi?  own  peculiar  mark  of 
mirth,  and  moved  acro?*s  the  wiow  toward*  the  spot  whence  the 
sounds  of  boisterous  mirth  proceeded,  with  the  long  strides  of  a 
hunter.  His  companion-*  followed  in  silence,  thu  youth  casting 
frequent  and  uneasy  glances  toward*  ElizaVtli,  who  wa*  detained 
by  a  motion  from  Richard. 

"I  ehould  think,  Miss  Temple,"  he  «ud,  BO  soon  a«  the  other* 
were  out  of  hearing,  "thai  it  you  really  wished  n  turkey,  you 
would  not  have  taken  a  stranger  fur  the  office,  and  RUCU  a  one  a« 
Leather-stocking.  But  I  can  hardly  believe  that  you  are  wrious, 
i'or  I  have  tifty  at  this 'moment  -hut  up  in  the  coop*  in  every 
ptage  of  fat,  *o  that  you  might  choose  any  quality  you  pleased. 
There  are  six  that  I  am  trying  an  experiment  on,  by  giving  them 
brick-bats  with  "  — 

"  Enough,  cousin  Dickon,"  interrupted  the  lady ;  w  I  do  wish 
the  bird,  and  it  is  because  I  ao  wish  that  1  commissioned  this  Mr 
Leather-stocking." 

"Did  you  ever  hear  of  the  great  shot  that  I  made  at  tho  wolf, 
c-oviPin  Elizabeth,  who  was  carrying  off  your  father's  nheep  ?  * 
ca:d  Richard,  drawing  himself  up  into  an.  air  of  displeasure. 


152  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  He  had  the  eheep  on  his  back  ;  and  had  the  head  of  the  wolf 
been  on  the  other  side,  I  should  have  killed  him  dead;  as  it 
was  — 

"  You  killed  the  sheep, — I  know  it  all,  dear  coz.  But  would 

it  have  been  decorous  for  the  High  Sheriff  of to  mingle  in 

such  sports  as  these  ?" 

"Surely  you  did  not  think  I  intended  actually  to  fire  with  my 
own  hands  ? "  said  Mr.  Jones.  "  But  let  us  follow  and  see  the 
shooting.  There  is  no  fear  of  anything  unpleasant  occurring  to 
a  female  in  this  new  country,  especially  to  your  father's  daughter, 
and  in  my  presence." 

"  My  father's  daughter  fears  nothing,  sir,  more  especially  when 
escorted  by  the  highest  executive  officer  in  the  county." 

She  took  his  arm,  and  he  led  her  through  the  mazes  of  the 
bushes  to  the  spot  where  most  of  the  young  men  of  the  village 
were  collected  for  the  sports  of  shooting  a  Christmas  match,  and 
whi* '  ^r  Natty  and  his  companions  had  already  preceded  them 


CHAPTER   XYIL 

I  guess,  by  all  this  quaint  array. 

The  burghers  hold  their  sports  to-day.  Sootr. 

THE  ancient  amusement  of  shooting  the  Christmas  turkey  is  one 
of  the  few  sports  that  the  settlers  of  a  new  country  seldom  or 
never  neglect  to  observe.  It  was  connected  with  the  daily 
practices  of  a  t>eople  who  often  laid  aside  the  axe  or  the  scyth  e 
to  seize  the  rifte,  as  the  deer  glided  through  the  forests  they  were 
felling,  or  the  bear  entered  their  rough  meadows  to  stent  the  air 
of  a  clearing,  and  to  scan,  with  a  look  of  sagacity,  the  progress  of 
the  invader. 

On  the  present  occasion  the  usual  amusement  of  the  day  had 
been  a  little  hastened,  in  order  to  allow  a  fair  opportunity  to  Mr. 
Grant,  whose  exhibition  was  not  less  a  treat  to  the  young  sports- 
men than  the  one  which  engaged  their  present  attention.  The 
owner  of  the  birds  was  a  free  black,  who  had  prepared  for  the 
occasion  a  collection  of  game  that  was  admirably  qualified  to 
inflame  the  appetite  of  an  epicure,  and  was  well  adapted  to  the 
means  and  skill  of  the  different  competitors,  who  were-  of  all 
ages.  He  had  offered  to  the  younger  and  more  humble  marks- 
men divers  birds  of  an  inferior  quality,  and  some  shooting  had 
already  taken  place,  much  to  the  pecuniary  advantage  of  the 
sable  owner  of  the  game.  The  order  of  the  sports  was  extremely 
simple,  and  well  understood.  The  bird  was  fastened  by  a  string 
to  the  stump  of  a  large  pine,  the  side  of  which,  towards  the  point 
vhere  the  marksmen  were  placed,  had  been  flattened  with,  an 
xe,  in  order  that  it  might  serve  the  purpose  of  a  target,  by 
.vhich  the  merit  of  each  individual  might  be  ascertained.  The 
distance  between  the  ijtuinp  and  shooting-stand  was  one  hundred 
measured  yards .  a  foot  more  or  a  foot  less  being  thought  an 
invasion  of  the  right  of  one  of  the  parties.  The  negro  affixed  his 
own  price  to  every  bird,  and  the  terms  of  the  chance  :  but  when 
these  were  once  established,  he  was  obliged,  by  the  strict  prin- 
ciples of  public  justice  that  prevailed  in  the  country,  to  admit 
any  adventurer  who  might  offer. 

The  throng  consisted  of  some  twenty  or  thirty  young  men, 
most  of  whom  had  rifles,  and  a  collection  of  all  the  boyu  in  the 

163 


t54  THE  PIONEERS. 

village.  The  little  urchins,  clad  in  coarse  be.*,  warm  garment^ 
stood  gathered  around  the  more  distinguished  marksmen,  with 
their  hands  stuck  under  their  waistbands,  listening  eagerly  to 
the  boastful  stories  of  skill  that  had  been  exhibited  on  former 
occasions,"  and  were  already  emulating  in  their  hearts  these 
wonderful  deeds  in  gunnery. 

The  chief  speaker  was  the  man  who  had  been  mentioned  by 
Natty  as  Billy  Kirby.  This  fellow,  whose  occupation,  when  he 
did  labour,  waa  that  of  clearing  lands  or  chopping  jobs,  was  of 
•jreat  stature,  and  carried  in  his  very  air  the  index  of  his  character. 
He  was  a  noisy,  boisterous,  reckless  lad,  whose  good-natured  eye 
contradicted  tne  bluntness  and  bullying  tenor  of  his  speech.  For 
\veeks  he  would  lounge  around  the  taverns  of  the  county  in  a 
state  of  perfect  idleness,  or  doing  small  jobs  for  his  liquor  and 
his  meals,  and  cavilling  with  applicants  about  the  prices  of  hia 
labour  :  frequently  preferring  idleness  to  an  abatement  of  a  tittle 
of  his  independence,  or  a  cent  in  his  wages.  But  when  these 
embarrassing  points  were  satisfactorily  arranged,  he  would 
shoulder  his  axe  and  his  rifle,  slip  his  arms  through  the  straps 
of  his  pack,  and  enter  the  woods  with  the  tread  of  a  Hercules. 
His  first  object  was  to  learn  his  limits,  round  which  he  would 
pace,  occasionally  freshening,  with  a  blow  of  his  axe,  the  marks 
on  the  boundary  trees ;  and  then  he  would  proceed,  with  an  air 
of  .great  deliberation,  to  the  centre  of  his  premises,  and,  throwing 
aeide  his  superfluous  garments,  measure  with  a  knowing  eye  one 
jr  two  of  the  nearest  trees  that  were  towering  apparently  into 
the  very  clouds  as  he  gazed  upwards.  Commonly  selecting  one 
of  the  most  noble  for  the  first  trial  of  his  power,  he  would 
approach  it>  with  a  listless  air,  whistling  a  low  tune  ;  and 
wielding  his  axe  with  a  certain  flourish,  not  unlike  the  salutes 
of  a  fencing  master,  he  would  strike  a  light  blow  into  the  bark, 
and  measure  his  distance.  The  pause  that  followed  was  ominous 
of  the  fall  of  the  forest,  which  had  flourished  there  for  centuries. 
The  heavy  and  brisk  blows  that  he  struck  were  eoon  succeeded 
by  the  thundering  report  of  the  tree  as  it  came,  first  cracking 
tnd  threatening  with  the  separation  of  its  own  last  ligaments, 
then  threshing  and  tearing  with  its  brant  hes  the  tops  of  its 
surrounding  brethren,  and  finally  meeting  the  ground  with  a 
shock  but  little  inferior  to  an  earthquake.  From  that  moment 
the  sounds  of  the  axe  were  ceaseless,  while  the  falling  of  the 
trees  was  like  a  distant  cannonading  ;  and  the  daylight  broke 
into  the  depths  of  the  woods  with  the  suddenness  of  a  winter 
morning. 

For  days,  weeks,  nay  months,  Billy  Kirby  wi  uld  toilj  with  an 
ardour  that  evinced  his  native  spirit,  and  wii;h  an  effect  that 
seemed  magical,  until,  his  chopping  being,  ended;  his  stentorian 
lungs  could  be  heard  emitting  sounds  as  he  called  to  hia  patient 


THE  PIONEERS.  155 

oxen,  which  rung  through  the  hille  like  the  ^ries  ot  tin  alarm. 
He  had  been  often  heard,  on  a  mild  sum'hier's  evening,  A  long 
mile  across  the  vale  of  Templeton ;  when  the  echoes  from  the 
mountains  would  take  up  his  cries,  until  they  died  away  in 
feeble  sounds  from  the  distant  rocks  that  overhung  the  lake. 
His  piles,  or,  to  use  the  language  of  the  country,  his  logging, 
ended,  with  a  despatch  that  could  only  accompany  his  dexterity 
and  Herculean  strength,  the  jobber  would  collect  together  his 
implements  of  labour  like  the  heaps  of  timber,  and  march  awsj 
under  the  blaze  of  the  prostrate  forest,  like  the  conqueror  of  some 
city,  who,  having  first  prevailed  over  his  adversary,  applies  the 
torch  as  the  finishing  blow  to  his  conquest.  For  a  long  time 
Billy  Kirby  would  then  be  seen  sauntering  around  the  tavernSj 
the  rider  of  scrub-races,  the  bully  of  cock-fights,  and  not  unfre- 
quently  the  hero  of  such  sports  aa  the  one  in  nand. 

Between  him  and  the  Leather-stocking  there  had  long  existed 
a  jealous  rivalry  on  the  point  of  skill  with  the  rifle.  Notwith- 
standing the  long  practice  of  Natty,  it  was  commonly  supposed 
that  the  steady  nerves  and  quick  eye  of  the  wood-chopper 
rendered  him  his  equal.  The  competition  had,  however,  been 
confined  hitherto  to  boastings,  and  comparisons  made  from  their 
success  in  various  hunting  excursions  ;  but  this  was  the  first 
time  that'  they  had  ever  come  in  open  collision.  A  good  deal 
of  higgling  about  the  price  of  the  choicest  bird  had  taken  place 
l>etween  Billy  Kirby  and  its  owner  before  Natty  and  his  com- 
panions rejoined  the  sportsmen.  It  had,  however,  been  settled  at 
one  shilling l  a  shot,  which  was  the  highest  sum  ever  exacted,  the 
black  taking  care  to  protect  himself  from  losses  as  much  as 
possible,  by  the  conditions  of  the  sport.  The  turkey  was  already 
fastened  at  the  "mark,"  but  its  body  was  entirely  hid  by  the 
surrounding  snow ;  nothing  being  visible  but  its  red  swelling 
head  and  long  neck.  If  the  bird  was  injured  by  any  bullet'that 
ptruck  below  the  snow,  it  was  to  continue  the  property  of  its 
present  owner ;  but  if  a  feather  was  touched  in  a  visible  part,  the 
animal  became  the  prize  of  the  successful  adventurer. 

These  terms  were  loudly  proclaimed  by  the  negro,  who  was 
seated  in  the  snow,  in  a  somewhat  hazardous  vicinity  to  his 
favourite  bird,  when  Elizabeth  and  her  cousin  approached  the 
noisy  sportsmen.  The  sounds  of  mirth  and  contention  sensibly 
lowered  at  this  unexpected  visit;  but,  after  a  moment's  pause, 
the  curious  interest  exhibited  in  the  face  of  the  voung  lady, 
together  with  her  tmiling  air,  restored  the  freedom  of  the 

1  Before  the  Revolution  each  province  Lad  its  own  motijy  of  account,  though 
neither  coined  any  but  copper  pieces.  In  New  York  the*  Spanish  dollar  wa* 
divided  Into  eight  shillings,  each  of  the  value  of  a  fraction  more  than  sixpence 
sterling.  At  present  the  Union  has  provided  a  decimal  system,  and  coins  tx- 
represpnt  it. 


156  THE  PIONEERS. 

morniug ;  though  it  was  somewhat  chastened,  both  in  language 
and  vehemence,  by  the  presence  of  such  a  spectator. 

"  Stand  out  of  the  way  there,  boys  ! "  cried  the  wood-chopper, 
who  was  placing  himself  at  the  shooting- point,  "stand  out  of  the 
\vay,  you  little  rascals,  or  I  will  shoot  through  you.  Now,  Brom, 
take  leave  of  your  turkey." 

"  Stop  ! "  cried  the  young  hunter ;  "  I  am  a  candidate  for  a 
chance.  Here  is  my  shilling,  Brom  ;  I  wish  a  shot  too." 

"You  may  wish  it  in  welcome,"  cried  Kirby  ;  "but  if  I  ruffle 
the  gobbler's  feathers,  how  are  you  to  get  it  ?  Is  money  so  plenty 
in  your  deer-skin  pocket  that  you  pay  for  a  chance  that  you  may 
never  have  ? " 

"  How  know  you,  sir,  how  plenty  money  is  in  my  pocket  ? ' 
eaid  the  youth  fiercely.  "Here  is  my  shilling,  Brom,  and  I 
claim  &  right  to  shoot." 

"Don't  be  crabbed,  my  boy,"  said  the  other,  who  was  very 
coolly  fixing  his  flint.  "  They  say  yo'i  have  a  hole  in  your  left 
shoulder,  yourself ;  so  I  think  Brom  may  give  you  a  fire  for  half 
price.  It  will  take  a  keen  one  to  hit  that  bird,  I  can  tell  you, 
my  lad,  even  if  I  give  you  a  chance,  which  is  what  I  have  no 
mind  to  do." 

"  Don't  be  boasting,  Billy  K>rby,"  said  Natty,  throwing  the 
breech  of  his  rifle  into  the  wiow,  and  leaning  on  its  barrel ; 
"  you'll  get  but  one  shot  at  the  creater,  for  if  the  lad  misses  his 
aim,  which  wouldn't  be  a  wonder  if  he  did,  with  his  arm  so  stiff 
and  sore,  youfll  find  a  good  piece  and  an  old  eye  coming  a'ter 
you.  Maybe  it's  true  that  I  can't  shoot  as  I  used  to  could,  but  a 
hundred  yards  is  a  short  distance  for  a  long  rifle." 

"  What,  old  Leather-stocking,  are  you  out  this  morning  ? "  cried 
his  reckless  opponent.  "  Well,  fair  play's  a  jeweL  I've  the  lead 
of  you,  old  fellow;  so  here  goes  for  a  dry  throat  or  a  good 
dinner." 

The  countenance  r.f.  the  negro  evinced  nqt  only  all  the  interest 
which  his  pecuniary  adventure  might  occasion,  but  also  the  keen 
excitement  that  the  sport  produced  in  the  others,  though  with  a 
very  different  wish  as  to  the  result.  While  the  wood-chopper 
was  slowly  and  steadily  raising  his  rifle,  he  bawled, — 

"  Fair  play;  Billy  Kirby — stand  back — make  'em  stand  back, 
boys — gib  a  nigger  fair  play — poss-up,  gobbler;  shake  a  head, 
fool ;  don't  a  see  'em  taking  aim  ? " 

These  cries,  which  were  intended  as  much  to  distract  the 
attention  of  the  marksman  as  for  anything  else,  were  fruitless. 
The  nerves  of  the  wood-chopper  were  not  so  easily  shaken,  and 
he  took  his  aim  with  the  utmost  deliberation.  Stillness  prevailed 
for  a  moment,  and  he  fired.  The  head  of  the  turkey  was  seen  to 
dash  on  one  side,  and  its  wings  were  spread  in  momentary 
fluttering  '  but  it  fettled  itself  down,  calmly,  into  ita  bed  of 


THE  PIONEERS.  157 


anow,  nud  glanced  it*  eyes  uneasily  around.  For  a  time 
enough  to  draw  a  de^p  breath,  not  a  sound  was  heard.  Tb« 
silence  was  then  broken  by  the  noise  of  the  negro,  who  laughed, 
and  shook  his  body,  with  all  kinds  of  antics,  rolling  over  in  the 
MIOW  in  the  excess  of  delight. 

"  Well  done  a  gobbler,"  he  cried,  jumping  up,  and  affecting  to 
embrace  his  bird  ,  "  I  tell  'em  to  poss-up,  and  you  see  'em  dodge. 
Gib  anoder  shillin,  Billy,  and  hab  anoder  shot." 

"  No  —  the  shot  is  mine,1'  said  the  young  hunter  ;  "  you  have 
my  money  already.  Leave  the  mark,  and  let  me  try  my 
luck." 

"Ah  !  it's  but  money  thrown  away,  lad,"  said  Leather-stocking. 
"  A  turkey's  head  and  neck  is  but  a  small  mark  for  a  new  hand 
and  a  lame  shoulder.  You'd  best  let  me  take  the  fire,  and 
maybe  we  can  make  some  settlement  with  the  lady  about  the 
bird." 

"  The  chance  is  mine,"  said  the  young  hunter.  "  Clear  the 
ground,  that  I  may  take  it." 

The  discussions  and  disputes  concerning  the  last  shot  we)t? 
now  abating,  it  having  been  determined,  that  if  the  turkey* 
head  had  been  anywhere  but  just  where  it  was  at  the  moment, 
the  bird  must  certainly  have  been  killed.  There  was  not  mur  b 
excitement  produced  by  the  preparations  of  the  youth,  who  pr- 
eceded in  a  hurried  manner  to  take  his  aim,  and  was  in  the  act  "*t 
pulling  the  trigger  when  he  was  stopped  by  Natty. 

"  Your  hand  shakes,  lad,"  he  eaid,  "  and  you  seem  over  cage  «•. 
Bullet  wounds  are  apt  to  weaken  fle&h,  and,  to  my  judgment. 
you'll  not  shoot  so  well  as  in  common.  If  you  will  fire,  you 
should  shoot  quick,  before  there  is  time  to  shake  off  the  aim." 

"  Fair  play,"  again  shouted  the  negro  ;  "  fair  play  —  gib  a 
nigger  fair  play.  What  right  a  Nat  Bumppo  advise  a  young 
man  ?  Let  'em  shoot  —  clear  a  ground." 

The  youth  fired  with  great  rapidity  ;  but  no  motion  was 
made  by  the  turkey  :  and  when  the  examiners  for  the  ball 
returned  from  the  "  mark,"  they  declared  that  he  had  missed  the 
etump. 

Elizabeth  observed  the  change  in  his  countenance,  and  could 
not  help  fccliug  surprise,  that  one  so  evidently  superior  to  his 
companions  should  feel  a  trifling  loss  so  sensibly.  But  her  own 
champion  was  now  preparing  to  enter  the  lists. 

The  mirth  of  Brom,  which  had  been  again  excited,  though  in 
a  much  smaller  degree  than  before,  by  the  failure  of  the  second 
adventurer,  vanished,  the  instant  Natty  took  his  stand.  His 
skin  became  mottled  with  large  brown  spots,  that  fearfully 
sullied  the  lustre  of  his  native  ebony,  while  his  enormous  lips 
gradually  compressed  around  two  rows  of  ivory,  that  had  huherto 
been  shining  in  hia  visage,  like  pearls  set  in  jet.  His  uostrile,  a« 


168  THE  PIONEERS. 

all  times  tha  txo»t  conspicuous  features  of  his  lace,  dilatal,  until 
they  covered  the  great*  J  part  of  the  diameter  of  his  countenance  ; 
while  his  brown  ano  bony  hands  unconsciously  grasped  the 
snow-crust  near  him,  'rhe  excitement  of  the  moment  completely 
overcoming  his  native  dread  of  cold. 

While  these  indications  of  apprehension  were  exhibited  in  the 
eable  owner  of  the  tur/.ey,  the  man  who  gave  rise  to  this  extra- 
ordinary emotion  was*  »is  calm  and  collected  as  if  there  was  not 
to  be  a  single  spectatv  /  of  his  skill. 

:t  I  was  down  in  tb  A  Dutch  settlements  oil  the  Scobarie,"  said 
Natty,  carefully  removing  the  leather  guard  from  the  lock  of  his 
rifle,  "just  before  t'te  breaking  out  of  the  last  war,  and  there  was 
a  shooting-match  v  mong  the  boys  ;  so  I  took  a  hand.  I  think  I 
opened  a  good  ir>.*iy  Dutch  eyes  that  day,  for  I  won  the  powder- 
horn,  three  ban  'Head,  and  a  pound  of  as  good  powder  as  ever 
flashed  in  pan  Lord  1  how  t/iey  did  swear  in  Jarman  !  They 
did  tell  of  one  j-wnken.  Dutchman,  who  said  he'd  have  the  life 
of  nvi.  before  I  got  back  to  th'o  lake  ag'in.  But  if  he  had  put 
his'  rifle  to  Vis  shoulder  wiiii  evil  intent,.  Qod  would  have 
punished  hi»i  'for  it ;  and  evea  if  the  Lord  didn't,  and  he  had 
missed  his  wn,  I  know  one  that  would  have  given  him  as  good 
as  he  sent)  r-td  better  too,  if  good  shooting  could  come  into  tho 
count," 

Bj  this  'tnie  the  old  hunter  was  ready  for  his  busiucc  . 
throwing  y/is  right  leg  far  behind  him,  and  stretching  his  left 
arm  alonfl  the  barrel  of  his  piece,  he  raised  it  towards  the  bird. 
Every  evi  glanced  rapidly  from  the  marksman  to  the  mark ; 
but  at  t'?  e  moment  when  each  ear  was  expecting  the  report  of 
the  rifle,  they  were  disappointed  by  the  ticking  sound  of  tha  flint. 

"A  *'iap,  a  snapl"  shouted  the  negro,  springing  from  his 
crouch;  «ig  posture,  like  a  madman,  before  hid  bird.  "A  snap 
good  a?  fire— Natty  Bumppo  gun  he  snap — Natty  Bumppo  miss 
a  turke  y  ! " 

"Na",ty-  Bumppo  hit  a  nigger,"  said  the  indignant  old  hunter, 
"if  y^a  don't  get  out  of  the  way,  Brom.  It's  contrary  to  the 
reason  of  the  thing,  boy,  that  a  snap  should  count  for  - 
when  one  is  nothing  more  than  a  fire-stone  striking  a  steel 
pan,  'tnd  the  other  is  sudden  death  ;  ED  get  ovio  my  v/ay, 
boy,  pnd  let  me  show  Billy  Kirby  how  to  shoot  a  Christinaa 
turkey-." 

"Gib  a  nigger  fair  play!"  cried  the  black,  who  cor,  ' 
resolutely  to  maintain  his  po.st,  and  making  that  appeal  to  ifce 
justice  of  his  auditors  whicn  the  degraded  condition  of  L-i 
BO  naturally  suggested.     "  Ebbery  body  know  dat  snap  :  ~         ( 
as  fire.     Leab  it  to  Massa  Jonc — feab  it  to  lady." 

"Sartain,"  said  the  wood-chopper;  "it's  the  law  of  the  game 
in  this  part  of  the  country,  Leather-stocking.  If  you  fire  ag'in, 


THE  PIONEERS.  159 

you  must  pay  up  the  other  shilling.  I  b'lieve  111  try  luck  once 
uore  myself ;  so,  Brom,  here's  my  money,  and  I  take  tha  next  fire." 

"  It's  likely  you  know  the  laws  of  the  woods  better  than  I  do, 
Billy  Kirby,  returned  Natty.  "  You  come  in  with  the  settlers, 
with  an  ox  goad  in  ycur  hand,  and  I  come  in  with  mocassins  on 
my  feet,  and  with  a  good  rifle  on  my  shoulders,  so  long  back  as 
afore  the  old  war.  Which  is  likely  to  know  the  best  ?  I  say,  no 
man  need  tell  me  that  snapping  is  as  good  as  firing,  when  I  pull 
the  trigger." 

"  Leah  it  to  Massa  Jone,"  saad  the  alarmed  negro ;  "  be  know 
tbbery  ting." 

This  appeal  to  the  knowledge  of  Richard  was  too  flattering 
to  be  unheeded.  He  therefore  advanced  a  little  from  the  spot 
whither  the  delicacy  of  Elizabeth  had  induced  her  to  withdraw, 
and  gave  the  following  opinion,  with  the  gravity  that  the  subject 
and  his  own  rank  demanded  : — 

"There  seems  to  be  a  difference  in  opinion,"  he  said,  "on  the 
subject  of  Nathaniel  Bumppo'a  right  to  shoot  at  Abraham  Free- 
born 's  turkey,  without  the  said  Nathaniel  paying  one  shilling 
for  the  privilege."  This  fact  was  too  evident  to  be  denied,  and, 
after  pausing  a  moment,  that  the  audience  might  digest  his 
premises,  Richard  proceeded  : — "It  seems  proper  that  I  should 
decide  this  question,  as  I  am  bound  to  preserve  the  peace 
of  tii3  county ;  and  men  with  deadly  weapons  in  their  hands 
should  not  be  heedlessly  left  to  contention,  and  their  own 
malignant  passions.  It  appears  that  there  was  no  agreement, 
either  in  writing  or  in  words,  on  the  disputed  point;  therefore 
we  must  reason  from  analogy,  which  is,  as  it  were,  comparing 
one  thing  with  another.  Now,  in  duels,  where  both  parties 
shoot,  it  is  generally  the  rule,  that  a  snap  is  a  fire ;  and  if 
such  is  the  rule,  where  the  party  has  a  right  to  fire  back 
again,  it  seems  to  me  unreasonable  to  say  that  a  man  may 
stand  snapping  at  a  defenceless  turkey  all  day.  I  therefore  am 
of  opinion  that  Nathaniel  Bumppo  has  lost  his  chance,  and  must 
pay  another  shilling  before  he  renews  his  right." 

As  this  opinion  came  from  so  high  a  quarter,  and  was  delivered 
with  effect,  it  silenced  all  murmurs, — for  the  whole  of  the  spec- 
tators had  b^gun  to  take  sides  with  great  warmth, — except  from 
the  Leather-stocking  himself. 

"I  think  Miss  Elizabeth's  thoughts  should  be  taken,"  said 
Natty.  "  I've  known  the  squaws  give  very  good  counsel,  when 
the  Indians  have  been  dumbfoundered.  If  she  says  that  I  ought 
to  lose,  I  agree  to  give  it  up." 

"Then  I  adjudge  you  to  be  a  loser,  for  this  time,"  said  Miss 
Temple  ;  "but  pay  your  money,  and  renew  your  chance  ;  unless 
Brom  will  sell  me  the  bird  for  a  dollar.  I  will  give  him  tha 
money,  and  save  the  life  of  the  poor  victim." 


160  THE  PIONEERS. 

This  proposition  was  evidently  but  little  relished  by  any  of 
the  listeners,  even  the  negro  feeling  the  evil  excitement  of  the 
diances.  In  the  meanwhile,  as  Billy  Kirby  was  preparing  him- 
self for  another  shot,  Natty  left  the  stand,  with  an  extremely 
dissatisfied  manner,  muttering, — 

"  There  hasn't  been  such  a  thing  as  a  good  flint  sold  at  the  foot 
of  the  lake  since  the  Indian  traders  used  to  come  into  the 
country  ; — and  if  a  body  should  go  into  the  flats  along  the 
streams  in  the  hill's,  to  hunt  for  such  a  thing,  it's  ten  to  one  but 
they  will  be  all  covered  up  with  the  plough.  Heigho  !  it  seems 
to  me,  that  just  as  the  game  grows  scarce,  and  a  body  wants  the 
best  ammunition  to  get  a  livelihood,  everything  that's  bad  falls  ou 
him,  like  a  judgment.  But  I'll  change  the  stone,  for  BiDy  Kirby 
hasn't  the  eye  for  such  a  mark,  I  know." 

The  wood  -  chopper  seemed  now  entirely  sensible  that  his 
reputation  depended  on  his  care  ;  nor  did  he  neglect  any  means 
to  ensure  success.  He  drew  up  his  rifle,  and  renewed  his  aim, 
again  and  again,  still  appearing  reluctant  to  fire.  No  found  waa 
'heard  from  even  Brom,  during  these  portentous  movements,  until 
Kirby  discharged  his  piece,  with  the  same  want  of  success  as 
before.  Then,  indeed,  the  shouts  of  the  negro  rang  through  the 
bushes,  and  sounded  among  the  trees  of  the  neighbouring  forest, 
like  the  outcries  of  a  tribe  of  Indians.  He  laughed,  lolling  his 
ht&d  first  on  one  side,  then  on  the  other,  until  nature  seejued 
exhausted  with  mirth.  He  danced,  until  his  legs  wet-e  wearied 
with  motion,  in  the  snow  ;  and,  in  short,  he  exhibit*  d  all  that 
violence  of  joy  that  characterizes  the  mirth  of  a  thoughtless  negro. 

The  wood-chopper  had  exerted  all  his  art,  and  felt  a  propor- 
tionate dearee  of  disappointment  at  the  failure.  He  first 
examined  uie  bird  with  the  utmost  attention,  and  more  than 
ouce  suggested  that  he  had  touched  its  feathers ;  but  the  voice 
of  the  multitude  v/as  against  him,  for  it  felt  disposed  to  listen 
to  the  often-repeated  cries  of  the  black,  to  "  gib  a  nigger  fair 
play." 

Finding  it  impossible  to  make  out  a  title  to  the  bird,  Kirby 
turned  fiercely  to  the  black,  and  said,— 

"Shut  your  oven,  you  crow  !  Where  is  the  man  that  can  hit 
a  turkey's  head  at  a  hundred  yards  ?  I  was  a  fool  for  trying. 
You  needn't  make  an  uproar,  like  a  falling  pine-tree,  about  it. 
Show  me  the  man  who  can  do  it." 

"Look  this  a -way,  Billy  Kirby,"  said  Leather-storking,  "and 
let  them  clear  the  mark,  and  I'll  show  you  a  man  -whos  made 
better  shots  afore  now,  and  that  when  he  s  been  hard  pressed  by 
the  savages  and  wild  beasts." 

"Perhaps  there  is  one  whose  rights  come  before  ours,  Lcathcr- 
i»vocking,"  said  Miss  Temple  ;  "  if  so,  we  will  waive  our 
privilege." 


THE  PIONEERS.  161 

"If  it  be  me  that  you  have  reference  to,"  said  the  young 
hunter,  "I  nhall  decline  another  chance.  My  shoulder  is  yet 
weak,  I  find. ' 

Elizabeth  regarded  his  manner,  and  thought  that  she  could 
discern  a  tinge  on  his  cheek  that  spoke  the  shame  of  conscious 
poverty.  She  aaid  no  more,  but  suffered  her  own  champion  to 
make  a  triaL  Although  Natty  Bumppo  had  certainly  made 
hundreds  Of  more  momentous  shots,  at  his  enemies  or  his  game, 
yet  ho  never  exerted  himself  more  to  excel.  He  raised  his  piece 
three  several  times ,  once  to  get  his  range  ;  once  to  calculate  his 
(liHtain-e  ;  and  once  because  the  bird,  alarmed  by  the  deathlike 
ftilliu'**,  lu rued  its  head  quickly  to  examine  its  foes.  But  the 
fourth  time  he  fired.  The  smoke,  the  report,  and  the  momentary 
shock  prevented  most  of  the  spectators  from  instantly  knowing 
the  result ;  but  Elizalwlh,  v/hen  she  saw  her  champion  drop  the 
end  of  hi^  ulle  in  the  hnow,  and  open  Iris  mouth  in  one  of  its 
silent  laugh?,  mid  then  proceed  very  coolly  to  recharge  his  piece, 
knew  that  ho  had  been  (successful.  The  boys  rushed  to  the  mark, 
nud  hfU-fl  the  turkey  on  lagh,  lifeless,  and  with  nothing  but  the 
iv in (u> i) I  of  a  head. 

"Bring  iu  the  creater,"  said  Leather-stocking,  "and<  put  it  at 
the  fret  of  the  lady.  1  was  her  deputy  in  the  matter,  and  the 
bird  is  her  property." 

"Ami  a  good  deputy  you  have  proved  yourself,"  returned 
Klizabelh, — "BO  good,  cousin  Richard,  that  I  would  advise  you 
to  remember  his  qualities."  She  paused,  and  the  gaiety  that 
beamed  in  her  face  gave  place  to  a  more  serious  earnestness. 
She  even  blushed  a  little  as  she  turned  to  the  young  hunter,  and, 
with  the  charm  .of  a  woman's  manner,  added, — "  But  it  was 
only  to  see  an  exhibition  of  the  far-famed  skill  of  Leather- 
stocking  that  I  tried  my  fortunes.  Will  you,  sir,  accept  the 
bird,  as  a  email  peace-offering  for  the  hurt  that  prevented  your 
own  success  ? " 

The  expression  with  which  the  youth  received  this  present 
was  indescribable.  He  append  to  yield  to  the  blandishment 
of  her  air  in  opposition  to  la  strong  inward  impulse  to  the 
contrary.  He  bowed,  and  raised  the  victim  silently  from  her 
feet,  but  continued  silent. 

Elizabeth  handed  the  black  a  piece  of  silver  as  a  remuneration 
for  his  loss,  which  had  some  effect  in  again  unbending  his 
muscles,  and  then  expressed  to  her  companion  her  readiness  to 
return  homeward. 

"  Wait  a  minute,  coasin  Bess,"  cried  Richard ;  "  there  is  an 
uncertainty  about  the  rules  of  this  sport  that  it  is  proper  1 
should  remove.  If  you  will  appoint  a  committee,  gentlemen,  to 
wait  on  me  this  morning,  I  will  draw  -up  in  writing  a  set  or 
regulations  " —  He  stopped,  with  eom»  indignation,  for  at  tb^ 


162  THE  PIONEERS. 

instant  a  hand  was  laid  familiarly  on  the  shoulder  of  the  High 
Sheriff  of . 

"A  merry  Christmas  to  you,  cousin  Dickon,"  said  Judge 
Temple,  who  had  approached  the  party  unperceived :  "  I  must 
have  a  vigilant  eye  to  ray  daughter,  sir,  if  you  are  to  he  seized 
daily  with  these  gallant  fits.  I  admire  the  taste  which  would 
introduce  a  lady  to  such  scenes  !  " 

"It  is  her  own  perversity,  'duke,"  cried  the  disappointed 
Sheriff,  who  felt  the  loss  of  the  first  salutation  as  grievously  as 
many  a  man  would  a  much  greater  misfortune ;  "  and  I  must 
say  that  she  comes  honestly  by  it.  I  led  her  out  to  show  her 
the  improvements,  but  away  she  scampered  through  the  &now>  at 
the  first  sound  of  fire-arms,  the  same  as  if  she  had  been  brought 
up  in  a  camp,  instead  of  a  first-rate  boarding-school.  I  do 
think,  Judge  Temple,  that  such  dangerous  amusements  should 
be  suppressed  by  statute,  nay,  I  doubt  whether  they  are  not 
already  indictable  at  common  law." 

"  Well,  sir,  as  you  are  Sheriff  of  the  county,  it  becomes 
your  duty  to  examine  into  the  matter,"  returned  the  smiling 
Marmaduke.  "  I  perceive  that  Bess  has  executed  her  com- 
mission, and  I  hope  it  met  with  a  favourable  reception." 
Richard  glanced  his  eye  at  the  packet  which  he  held  in 
his  hand,  and  the  slight  anger  produced  by  disappointment 
vanished  instantly. 

"Ah!  'duke,  my  dear  cousin,"  he  said,  "step  a  little  on 
one  side  ;  I  have  something  I  would  say  to  you."  Marmaduke 
complied,  and  the  Sheriff  led  him  to  a  little  distance  in  the 
bushes,  and  continued,— "First,  'duke,  let  me  thank  you  for 
your  friendly  interest  with  the  Council  and  the  Governor, 
without  which  I  am  confident  that  the  greatest  merit  would 
avail  but  little.  But  we  are  sisters'  children  — we  are  sisters' 
children  ;  and  you  may  use  me  iike  one  of  your  horses ;  ride 
me  or  drive  me,  'duke,  I  am  whoily  yours.  But  in  my  humble 
opinion,  this  young  companion  of  Leather- stocking  requires 
looking  after  He  has  a  very  dangerous  prope*»ity  for 
turkey." 

"Leave  him  to  my  management,  Dickon,"  said  the  Judge, 
"and  I  will  cur«  ^is  appetite  by  indulgence.  It  is  with  him 
that  T  would  «jwak.  Let  us  rejoin  the  sportsmen." 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

Poor  wr»tch  t  the  motlier  fliaf  lilm  faro, 
Jf  she  had  been  in  presence  then-, 
la  his  wan  face,  and  sun-burnt  hnir 
«lie  had  m>t  known  her  rhild.  SCOTT. 

IT  diminished  in  no  degree  the  effect  produced  by  tlic  eonversa- 
tion  which  passed  between  Judge  Temple  and  the  young  hunter, 
lliat  the  former  took  the  arm  of  his  daughter,  and  drew  it 
through  his  own,  when  he  advanced  from  the  sjxrt  whither 
Itichard  had  led  him  to  that  where  the  youth  was  standing, 
leaning  on  his  rifle,  and  contemplating  the  dead  bird  at  his  feet. 
The  presence  of  Marmaduke  did  not  interrupt  the  sports,  which 
were  resumed,  by  loud  and  clamorous  disputes  concerning  the 
conditions  of  a  chance  that  involved  the  life  of  a  bird  of  much 
inferior  quality  to  the  last.  Leather-stocking  and  Mohegan  had 
alone  drawn  aside  to  their  youthful  companion  ;  and  although 
in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  such  a  throng,  the  following 
conversation  was  heard  only  by  those  who  were  interested 
in  it. 

"  I  have  greatly  injured  you,  Mr.  Edwards,"  said  the  Judge  •, 
but  the  sudden  and  inexplicable  start  with  which  the  person 
spoken  to  received  this  unexpected  address,  caused  him  to  pausa 
a  moment.  As  no  answer  was  given,  and  the  strong  emotion 
exhibited  in  the  countenance  of  the  youth  gradually  passed  away, 
he  continued — "But,  fortunately,  it  is  in  some  measure  in  my 

Sjwer  to  compensate  you  for  what  I  have  done.  My  kinsman, 
i chard  Jones,  has  received  an  appointment  that  will,  in  future, 
deprive  me  of  his  assistance,  and  leaves  me  just  now  desti- 
tute of  one  who  might  greatly  aid  me  with  his  pen.  Your 
manner,  notwithstanding  appearances,  is  a  sufficient  proof  of 
your  education,  nor  will  thy  shoulder  suffer  thee  to  labour  for 
some  time  to  come."  (Marraaduke  insensibly  relapsed  into 
the  language  of  the  Friends  as  he  grew  warm.)  "  My  doors  are 
open  to  thee,  my  young  friend,  for  in  this  infant  country  Me 
harbour  no  suspicions  :  little  offering  to  tempt  the  cupidity  n{ 
the  evil-disposed.  Become  my  assistant '  for  at  least  a  seasox 
and  receive  sn^h  compensation  as  thy  services  will  deserve. 

163      ' 


164  THE  PIONEERS^ 

There  was  nothing  in  the  manner  or  the  offer  of  ttie  Judge  to 
justify  the  reluctance,  amounting  nearly  to  loathing,  with  whicl 
the  youth  listened  to  his  speech  :  but  after  a  powerful  effort  fo 
self-command,  he  replied, — 

"I  would  serve  you,  sir,  or  any  other  man,  for  an  honest 
support,  for  I  do  not  affect  to  conceal  that  my  necessities  are 
very  great,  even  beyond  what  appearances  would  indicate  ;  but 
I  am  fearful  that  such  new  duties  would  interfere  too  much  with 
more  important  business  :  so  that  I  must  decline  your  offer,  and 
depend  on  my  rifle,  as  before,  for  subsistence." 

Richard  here  took  occasion  to  whisper  to  the  young  lady,  who 
had  shrunk  a  little  from  the  foreground  of  the  picture, — 

"This,  you  see,  cousin  Bess,  is  the  natural  reluctance  of  a 
half-breed  to  leave  the  savage  state.  Their  attachment  to  n 
wandering  life  is,  I  verily  believe,  unconquerable." 

"  It  is  a  precarious  life,"  observed  Marmaduke,  without  hearing 
the  Sheriffs  observation,  "and  one  that  brings  more  evils  with 
it  than  present  suffering.  Trust  me,  young  friend,  my  experience 
is  greater  than  thine,  when  I  tell  thee;  that  the  unsettled  life 
of  these  hunters  ia  of  vast  disadvantage  for  temporal  purposes, 
and  it  totally  removes  one  from  within  the  influence  of  more 
sacred  things." 

"  No,  no,  Judge,"  interrupted  the  Leather-stocking,  who  was 
hitherto  unseen  or  disregarded  ;  "  take  him  into  your  shanty  in 
welcome,  but  tell  him  truth.  I  have  lived  in  the  woods  for 
forty  long  years,  and  hate  spent  five  at  a  time  without  seeing 
the  light  of  a  clearing  bigger  than  a  wind-row  in  the  trees  ;  and 
I  should  like  to  know  where  you'll  find  a  man,  in  his  sixty- 
eighth  year,  who  can  get  an  easier  living,  for  all  your  better- 
ments, and  your  deer-laws ;  and  as  for  honesty,  or  doing  what's 
right  between  man  and  man,  I'll  not  turn  my  back  to  the 
longest- winded  deacon  on  your  Patent." 

"Thou  art  an  exception,  Leather-stocking,"  returned  the 
Judge,  nodding  good-naturedly  at  the  hunter  ;  "  for  thou  hast 
a  temperance  unusual  in  thy  class,  and  a  hardihood  exceeding 
thy  years.  But  this  youth  is  made  of  materials  too  precious  to 
be  wasted  in  the  forest.  I  entreat  thee  to  join  my  family,  if  it 
be  but  till  thy  arm  be  healed.  My  daughter  here,  who  19 
mistress  of- my  dwelling,  will  tell  thee  that  thou  art  welcome." 

"Certainly,"  said  Elizabeth,  whose  earnestness  was  a  little 
checked  by  female  reserve.  "  The  unfortunate  would  be  welcome 
at  any  time,  but  doubly  so  when  we  feel  that  we  have  occasioned 
the  evil  ourselves." 

w  Yes,"  said  Richard,  "  and  if  you  relish  turkey,  young  man, 
there  are  plenty  in  the  coops,  and  of  the  best  kind,  I  can  assure 
yon." 

Finding  himself  thus  ably  seconded,  Marmaduke  pushed  his 


~THE~PIONEERS.  16o 

advantage  to  the  utmost.  He  entered  into  a  detail  of  the  duties 
that  would  attend  the  situation,  and  circumstantially  mentioned 
the  reward,  and  all  those  points  which  are  deemed  ol  importance 
among  men  of  business.  The  youth  listened  in  extreme  agita- 
tion. There  was  an  evident  contest  in  his  feelings  ;  at  times  he 
appeared  to  wish  eagerly  for  the  change,  and  then  again  the 
incomprehensible  expression  of  disgust  would  cross  his  features, 
like  a  dark  cloud  obscuring  a  noonday  sun. 

The  Indian,  in  whose  manner  the  depression  of  self-abase- 
ment was  most  powerfully  exhibited,  listened  to  the  offers  of 
the  Judge  with  an  interest  that  increased  with  each  syllable. 
Gradually  he  drew  nigher  to  tha  group ;  and  when,  with  his 
keen  glance,  he  detected  the  most  marked  evidence  of  yielding 
in  the  countenance  of  his  young  companion,  he  changed  at  once 
from  his  attitude  and  look  of  shame  to  the  front  of  an  Indian 
warrior,  and  moving  with  great  dignity  closer  to  the  parties,  he 
spoke, — 

"  Listen  to  your  fath-u-,"  he  said  ;  "  his  words  are  old.  Let 
the  Young  Eagle  and  the  Great  Land  Chief  eat  together ;  let 
them  sleep  without  fear  near  each  other.  The  children  of 
Miquon  love  #ot  blood-;  they  are  just,  and  will  do  right.  The 
sun  must  rise  and  set  often  before  men  can  make  one  family ; 
it  is  not  the  work  of  a  day,  but  of  many  winters.  The  Mingoes 
and  the  Delatvares  are  born  enemies  ;  their  blood  can  never  mix 
in  the  wigwam :  it  never  will  run  in  the  same  stream  in  the 
battle.  V/hati  makes  the  brother  of  Miquon  and  the  Younff 
Eagle  foes  ?  They  are  of  the  same  tribe  :  their  fathers  ana 
mothers  are  one.  Learn  to  wait,  my  son ;  you  are  a  Delaware, 
and  an  Indian  warrior  knows  how  to  be  patient." 

This  figurative  address  seemed  to  have  great  weight  with  the 
young  man,  who  gradually  yielded  to  the  representations  of 
Marmaduke,  and  eventually  consented  to  his  proposal.  It  was, 
however,  to  be  an  experiment  only  ;  and  if  either  of  the  parties 
thought  fit  to  rescind  the  engagement,  it  was  left  at  his  option 
so  to  do.  The  remarkable  and  ill-concealed  reluctance  of  the 
youth  to  accept  of  an  offer  which  most  men  in  his  situation 
would  consider  as  an  unhoped-for  elevation,  occasioned  no 
little  surprise  in  those  to  whom  he  was  a  stranger ;  and  it  left 
a  slight  impression  to  his  disadvantage.  When  the  parties 
separated,  they  very  naturally  made  the  subject  the  topic  of  a 
conversation,  which  we  shall  relate  ;  first  commencing  with  the 
Judge,  his  daughter  and  Richard,  who  were  slowly  pursuing  the 
#ay  back  to  the  Mansion-house. 

"  I  have  surely  endeavoured  to  remember  the  holy  mandates 
of  our  Redeemer,  when  He  bids  us  '  love  them  vho  deapitefuUy 
usa  you,'  in  my  intercourse  with  this  incomprehensible  boy, 
said  Marmaduke.     "  I  know  not  what  there  is  in  my  dwelling  to 


168  THE  PIONEERS. 

frighten  a  lad  of  his  years,  unless  it  may  be  thy  presence  and 
visage,  Bess." 

"No,  no,"  said  Richard,  with  great  simplicity.;  "it  is  not 
cousin  Bess.  But  whea  did  you  ever  know  a  half-breed,  'duke, 
who  could  bear  civilisation  ?  For  that  matter,  they  are  worse 
than  the  savages  themselves  ?  Did  you  notice  how  knock-kneed 
he-  stood,  Elizabeth,  and  what  a  wild  look  he  had  in  his 
eyes?" 

"  I  heeded  not  his  eyes,  nor  his  knees,  which  would  be  all  ths 
better  for  a  little  humbling.  Really,  my  dear  sir,  I  think  you 
did  exercise  the  Christian  virtue  of  patience  to  the  utmost.  I 
was  disgusted  with  his  airs,  long  before  he  consented  to  make 
one  of  our  family.  Truly  we  are  much  honoured  by  the 
association !  In  what  apartment  is  he  to  be  placed,  sir  ? 
and  at  what  table  is  he  to  receive  his  nectar  and  ambrosia  1" 

"With  Benjamin  and  B.emarkable,"  interrupted  Mr.  Jones  ; 
"you  surely  would  not  make  the  youth  eat  with  the  blacks  ! 
He  is  part  Indian,  it  is  true ;  but  the  natives  hold  the  negroes 
in  great  contempt.  No,  no;  he  would  starve  before  he  would 
break  a  crust  with  the  negroes." 

"I  am  but  too  happy,  Dickon,  to  tempt  him  to  cat  with 
ourselves,"  said  Marmaduke,  "to  think  of  offering  even  the 
indignity  you  propose." 

"Then,  sir,  said  Elizabeth,  with  an  air  that  v/aS  slightly 
affected,  as  if  submitting  to  her  father^  ofdtiS  in  opposition  to 
her  own  will,  "it  is  your  pleasure  thsc  he  be  a  gentleman." 

"  Certainly  j  he  is  to  fill  the  station  of  one.  Let  him  receive 
the  treatment  that  is  due  to  his  place,  until  we  find  him 
unworthy  of  it." 

"Well,  well,  'duke,"  cried  the  Sheriff,  "you  will  find  it  no 
easy  matter  to  make  a  gentleman  of  Mm.  The  old  proverb  says, 
*  That  it  takes  three  generations  to  make  a  gentleman.'  There 
was  my  father,  whom  everybody  knew;  my  grandfather  was 
an  M.D. ;  and  his  father  a  D.D. ;  and  his  father  came  from 
England.  I  never  could  come  at  the  truth  of  his  origin ;  but 
he  was  either  a  great  merchant  in  London,  or  a  great  country 
lawyer,  or  the  youngest  son  of  a  bishop." 

"  Here  is  a  true  American  genealogy  for  you,"  eaid  Marmaduke, 
laughing.  "It  does  very  well  till  you  get  across  the  water, 
where,  as  everything  is  obscure,  it  is  certain  to  deal  in  the  super- 
lative. You  are,  sure  that  your  English  progenitor  was  great. 
Dickon,  whatever  his  profession  might  have  been  ? " 

"  To  fee  sure  I  am,"  returned  the  other.  "  I  have  heard  my 
old  aunt  talk  of  him  by  the  month.  We  are  of  a  good  family, 
Jud^e  Temple,  and  have  never  filled  any  but  honourable  station* 
in  life." 

"  I  marvel  that  you  should  be  satisfied  witb  *o  scanty  a  pro- 


THE  PIONEEKS.  16.7 

vision  of  gentility  in  the  olden  time,  Dickon.  Moat  of  the 
American  genealogists  commei.  e  their  traditions,  like  the  stoii*-e 
for  children,  with  three  brothers,  taking  especial  care  that  one 
of  the  triumvirate  shall  be  the  progenitor  of  any  of  the  same 
name  who"  may  happen  to  be  better  furnished  with  worldly  gear 
than  themselves.  But  here  all  are  equal  who  know  how  to 
conduct  tnemselves  with  propriety  ,  ana  Oliver  Edwards  comes 
into  my  family  on  a  footing  with  both  the  High  Sheriff  and 
the  Judge" 

"  Well,  'duke,  I  call  this  democracy,  not  republicanism  ;  but 
I  say  nothing  ;  only  1ft  him  keep  within  the  law,  or  I  shall 
show  him  that  the  freedom  of  even  this  country  is  under  whole- 
Bome  restraint." 

"  Surely,  Dickon,  you  will  not  execute  till  I  condemn  !  But 
what  says  Bess  to  the  new  inmate  ?  We  must  t>ay  a  deference  to 
the  ladies  in  this  matter  after  all." 

"  Oh,  sir ! "  returned  Elizabeth,  "  I  believe  I  am  much  like  a 
Certain  Judge  Temple  in  this  particular— not  easily  to  be  turned 
from  my  opinion.  But,  to  be  serious,  although  I  must  think 
the  introduction  of  a  demi-savage  into  the  family  a  somewhat 
startling  event,  whomsoever  you  think  proper  to  countenance 
may  be  sure  of  my  respect." 

The  Judge  drew  her  arm  more  closely  in  his  own,  and  smilec  , 
while  Richard  led  the  way  through  the  gate  of  the  little  coui'~ 
yard  in  the  rear  of  the  dwelling,  dealing  out  his  anibiguoaa 
warnings  with  his  accustomed  loquacity. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  foresters — for  the  three  hunters,  not- 
withstanding their  difference  in  character,  well  deserved  this 
common  name — pursued  their  course  along  the  skirts  of  the 
village  in  silence.  It  was  not  until  they  had  reached  the  lake, 
a.nd  were  moving  over  its  frozen  surface  towards  the  foot  of  the 
mountain,  where  their  hut  stood,  that  the  youth  exclaimed, — . 

"  Who  could  have  foreseen  this  a-  month  since  !  I  have  con- 
sented to  serve  Marmaduke  Temple, — to  be  an  inmate  in  tJie 
dwelling  of  the  greatest  enemy  of  my  race;  yet  what  better 
rould  I  do  ?  The  servitude  cannot  be  long ;  and  when  tl  P 
motive  for  submitting  to  it  ceases  to  exist,  I  will  shake  it  rtf 
like  the  dust  from  my  feet." 

"  Is    he   a    Mingo  that    you  will  call   him  enemy  ? "    sai  d 
Mohegan.      "  The   Delaware  warrior  sit .1  still,  ind  waits  tl>e 
time  of  the  Great  Spirit.      He  is  no  woman  to  cry  out  like  a      ^ 
child." 

"  Well,  I'm  mistrustful,  John,"  said  Leather-stocking,  in  whoi-a 
air  there  had  been,  during  the  whole  business,  a  strong  exprebsioa 
of  tioubt  and  uncertainty.  "They  say  that  there's  new  laws  iu 
the  land,  and  I  am  sartain  that  there's  new  ways  in  the  mountain". 
One  hardly  knows  the  lakes  and  streams,  they've  altered  thj 


168  T&£  PIONE&KS. 

country  eo  much."  I  must  say  Fiu  mistrustful  of  such  smooth 
speakers  j  for  Fve  known  the  whites  talk  fair  when  they  wanted 
the  Indian  lands  most.  This  I  will  say,  though  I'm  white  myself, 
and  was  born  nigh  York,  and  of  honest  parents  too." 

**  I  will  submit,"  said  the  youth ;  "  I  will  forget  who  I  am. 
Cease  to  remember,  old  Mohegan,  that  I  am  the  descendant  of 
a  Delaware  chief,  who  once  was  master  of  these  noble  hills,  these 
beautiful  vales,  and  of  this  water  over  which  we  tread.  Yes, 
yes  ;  I  will  become  his  bondsman, — his  slave !  Is  it  not  an 
honourable  servitude,  old  man  ? " 

"  Old  man  1 "  repeated  the  Indian  solemnly,  and  pausing  in 
his  walk  as  usual  when  much  excited  ;  "  yes  ;  John  is  old.  Sou 
of  my  brother  I  if  Mohegan  was  young,  when  would  his  rifle  be 
still  ?  where  would  the  deer  hide,  and  he  not  find  him  ?  But 
John  is  old ;  his  hand  is  the  hand  of  a  squaw ;  his  tomahawk 
is  a  hatchet ;  brooms  and  baskets  are  his  enemies — he  strikes  uu 
other.  Hunger  and  old  age  come  together.  See,  Hawk-eye  1 
when  young  he  would  go  days  and  eat  nothing  ;  but  should  lie 
not  put  the  brush  on  the  fire  now,  the  blaze  would  go  out.  Take 
the  son  of  Miquon  by  the  hand,  and  he  will  help  you." 

"I'm  not  tne  man  I  was,  I'll  own,  Chingachgook,"  returned 
the  Leather-stocking ;  "  but  I  can  go  without  a  meal  now  on 
occasion.  When  we  tracked  the  Iroquois  through  the  'Beech- 
woods,'  they  drove  the  game  afore  them,  for  I  hadn't  a  morsel  to 
eat  from  Monday  morning  come  Wednesday  sundown  ;  and  then 
I  shot  as  fat  a  buck,  on  the  Pennsylvany  line,  as  ever  mortal  laid 
eyes  on.  It  would  have  done  your  heart  good  to  have  seen  the 
Delawares  eat ;  for  I  was  out  scouting  and  scrimmaging  with 
their  tribe  at  the  tiiue.^  Lord  I  the  Indians,  lad,  lay  still,  anil 
just  Awaited  till  Providence  should  send  them  their  game  ;  but  I 
foraged  about,  and  put  a  deer  up,  and  put  him  down  too,  'fort- 
he  had  made  a  dozen  jumps.  I  was  too  weak  and  too  ravenous 
to  stop  for  his  flesh  ;  so  I  took  a  good  drink  of  his  blood,  and 
the  Indians  ate  of  liis  meat  raw.  John  was  there,  and  John 
knows.  But  then  starvation  would  be  apt  to  be  too  much  for 
me  now,  I  will  own,  though  I'm  no  great  eater  at  any  time." 

"  Enough  is  said,  my  friends,"  cried  the  youth.  "  I  feel  thai 
everywhere  the  sacrifice  is  required  at  my  hands,  and  it  shall 
be  made ;  but  «ay  no  more,  I  entreat  you :  I  cannot  bear  the 
subject  now." 

His  companions  were  silent ;  and  they  soon  reached  the  hut, 
•which  they  entered,  after  removing  certain  complicated  and  in- 
genious fastenings  that  were  put  there  apparently  to  guard  a 
property  of  but  very  little  value.  Immense  piles  of  snow  lay 
against  the  log  walls  of  this  secluded  habitation  on  one  side ; 
while  fragments  of  small  trees,  and  branches  of  oak  and  chest- 
nut, that  nad  been  torn  from  their  parent  stems  by  the  winds, 


THE  PIONEERS.  169 

were  thrown  into  %  pile  on  the  other.  A  small  column  of  smoke 
rose  through  a  cnlmnev  of  sticks,  cemented  with  clay,  along  the 
side  of  the  rock  ;  and  bad  marked  the  enow  above  with  its  dark 
tinges  in  a  wavy  line  from  the  point  of  emission  to  another, 
where  the  hill  receded  from  the  brow  of  a  precipice,  and  held  a 
soil  that  nourished  trees  of  a  gigantic  growth  that  overhung  the 
little  bottom  beneath. 

The  remainder  of  the  daypassed  off  as  such  days  are  commonly 
spent  in  a  new  country.  The  settlers  thronged  to  the  academy 
again  to  witness  the  second  effort  of  Mr.  Grant ;  and  Mohegan 
was  one  of  his  hearers.  But,  notwithstanding  the  divine  fixed 
his  eyes  intently  on  the  Indian,  when  he  invited  his  congregation 
to  advance  to  the  table,  the'  shame  of  last  night's  abasement  was 
yet  too  keen  in  the  old  chief  to  suffer  him  to  move. 

When  the  people  were  dispersing,  the  clouds  that  had  been 
gathering  all  the  morning  were  dense  ar,d  dirty  ;  and  before  half 
of  the  curious  congregation  had  reached  their  different  cabins, 
that  were  placed  in  every  glen  and  hollow  of  the  mountains,  or 
perched  on  the  summits  of  the  hills  themselves,  the  rain  waa 
falling  in  torrents.  The  dark  edges  of  the  stumps  began  to  exhibits 
themselves  as  the  snow  settled  rapidly  ;  the  fences  of  logs  and 
brush,  which  before  had  been  only  traced  by  long  lines  of  white 
mounds  that  ran  across  the  valley  and  up  the  mountains,  peeped 
out  from  their  covering  ;  and  the  black  stubs  were  momentarily 
becoming  more  distinct  as  large  masses  of  snow  and  ice.  fell  from 
their  sides  under  the  influence  of  the  thaw. 

Sheltered  in  the  warm  hall  of  her  father's  comfortable  man- 
sion, Elizabeth,  accompanied  by  Louisa  Grant,  looked  abroad 
with  admiration  at  the  ever-varying  face  of  things  without. 
Even  the  village,  which  had  just  before  been  glittering  with 
the  colour  of  the  frozen  element,  reluctantly  dropped  its  mask, 
and  the  houses  exposed  their  dark  roofs  and  smoked  chimneys. 
The  pimes  shook  off  the  covering  of  snow,  and  everything  seemed 
to  be  assuming  its  proper  hue  with  a  transition  that  bordered  on 
the  eupernatvrraL 


CHAPTEK   XIX. 

And  yet,  poor  Edwin  was  no  vulgar  boy  —  BEATTIB 

THE  i lose  of  Christinas  day,  A.D.  1793,  was  tempestuous,  bit 
comparatively  warm.  When  darkness  had  again  hid  the  objects 
in  the  village  from  the  gaze  of  Elizabeth,  she  turned  from  the 
window  where  she  had  remained  while  the  least  vestige  of  light 
lingered  over  the  tops  of  the  dark  pines  with  a  curiosity  that 
was  rather  excited  than  appeased  by  the  passing  glimpses  of 
woodland  scenery  that  she  had  caught  during  the  day. 

With  her  arm  locked  in  that  of  Miss  Grant,  the  young  mistress 
of  the  mansion  walked  slowly  up  and  down  the  hall,  musing  on 
scenes  that  were  rapidly  recurring  to  her  memory,  and  possibly 
dwelling  at  times  in  the  sanctuary  of  her  thoughts  on  the  strange 
occurrences  that  had  led  to  the  introduction  to  her  father's 
family  of  one  whose  manners  so  singularly  contradicted  the 
inferences  to  be  drawn  from  his  situation.  The  expiring  heat 
of  the  apartment — for  its  great  size  required  a  day  to  reduce  its 
temperature — had  given  to  her  cheeks  a  bloom  that  exceeded 
their  natural  colour,  while  the  mild  and  melancholy  features  of 
Louisa  were  brightened  with  a  faint  tinge  that,  like  the  hectic 
of- disease,  gave  a  painful  interest  to  her  beauty. 

The  eyes  of  the  gentlemen  who  were  yet  seated  around  the 
rich  wines  oT  Judge  Temple,  frequently  wandered  from  the  table 
that  was  placed  at  one  end  of  the  hall  to  the  forms  that  were 
silently  moving  over  its  length.  Much  mirth,  and  that,  at  times, 
of  a  boisterous  kind,  proceeded  from  the  mouth  of  Richard  j 
but  Major  ITartmann  was  not  yet  excited  to  his  pitch  of  merri- 
ment, and  Marmaduke  respected  the  presence  of  his  clerical 
guest  too  much  to  indulge  in  even  the  innocent  humour  that 
formed  no  small  ingredient  to  his  character. 

Such  were,  and  such  continued  to  be,  the  pursuits  of  tha 
party,  for  half-an-hour  after  the  shutters  were  closed,  and  candles 
were  placed  in  various  parts  of  the  hall  as  substitutes  for  the 
departing  daylight.  The  appearance  of  Benjamin,  staggering 
under  the  burden  of  an  armful  of  wood,  was  the  first  interrup- 
tion to  the  scene. 

"How  now,  Master  Pump!"  roared  the  n«wly  -  appointed 

170 


TEE  PIONEERS.  in 

sheriff;  "is  there  not  warmth  enough  in  'dulcet  best  Madeira 
to  keep  up  the  animal  heat  through  this  thaw  ?  Remember,  old 
boy,  that  the  Judge  is  particular  with  his  beech  and  maple,  be- 
ginning to  dread  already  a  scarcity  of  the  precious  articles.  Ha  ! 
ha !  ha !  'duke,  you  are  a  good,  warm-hearted  relation,  1  will 
own,  as  in  duty  bound,  but  you  have  some  queer  notions  about 
you  after  all.  'Come,  let  us  be  jolly  >  and  cast  away  folly.'" 

The  notes  gradually  sunk  into  a  hum,  while  the  major-domo 
threw  down  his  load,  and  turning  to  his  interrogator  with  an  air 
of  earnestness,  replied, — 

"Why,  look  you,  Squire  Dickens,  mayhap  there's  a  warm 
latitude  round  about  the  table  there,  thof  it  s  not  the  stuff  to 
raise  the  heat  in  my  body  neither ;  the  raal  Jamaiky  being  the 
only  thing  to  do  that,  besides  good  wood,  or  some  such  matter 
as  Newcastle  coal.  Buty  if  I. know  anything  of  weather,  d'ye 
see,  it's  time  to  be  getting  all  snug,  and  for  putting  the.  ports 
in,  and  stirring  the  fires  a  bit.  Mayhap'  I've  not  followed  the 
seas  twenty-seven  years,  and  lived  another  seven  in  these  here 
woods  for  nothing,  gemmen." 

"  Why,  does  it  bid  fair  for  a  change  in  the  weather,  Benjamin  ?  * 
inquired  the  master  of  the  house. 

"  There's  a  shift  of  wind,  your  honour,"  returned  the  steward  ; 
"and  when  there's  a  shift  of  wind,  you  may  look  for  a  change  in 
this  here  climate.  I  was  aboard  of  one  of  Rodney's  fleet,  d'ye 
see,  about  the  time  we  licked  De  Grasse,  Mounsheer  Ler  Quaw'a 
countryman,  there  ;  and  the  wind  was  here  at  the  south'ard  and 
east'ard  ;  and  I  was  below  mixing  a  toothful  of  hot  stuff  for  the 
captain  of  marines,  who  dined,  d'ye  sec,  in  the  cabin,  that  there 
very  same  day ;  and  I  suppose  he  wanted  to  put  out  the  Captain's 
fire  with  a  gunroom,  ingyne  ;  and  so,  just  aa  I  got  it  to  my  own 
liking,  after  tasting  pretty  often,  for  the  soldier  was  difficult  to 
please,  slap  came  the  foresail  ag'in  the  mast)  whiz  went  the  ship 
round  on  her  heel  like  a  whirligig.  And  a  lucky  thing  was  it 
that  our  helm  was  down;  for  as  she  gathered  starnway  she 
payed  off,  which  was  more  than  every  snip  in  the  fleet'  did  or 
could  do.  But  she  strained  herself  in  the  trough  of  the  sea, 
and  she  shipped  a  deal  of  water  over  her  quarter.  I  never 
swallowed  so  much  clear  water  at  a  time  in  my  life  as  I  did  then, 
for  I  was  looking  up  the  after-hatch  at  the  instant." 

"  I  wonder,  Benjamin,  that  you  did  not  die  with  a  dropsy  ! " 
said  Marmaduke. 

-  "  I  mought,  Judge,"  said  the  old  tar,  with  a  broad  grin  ;  "but 
there  was  no  need  of  .the  med'eine  chest  for  a  cure  ;  for,  aa  I 
thought  the  brew  was  spoilt  for  the  marine's  taste,  and  there  was 
no  telling  when  another  sea  might  come  and  spoil  it  for  mine,  I 
finished  the  mug  on  the  spot  So  then  all  hands  was  called  to 
;Ae  pumps,  and  there  we  began  forply  the  pumps  " — 


172  THE 'PIONEERS. 

"  Well,  but  the  weather  ? "  interrupted  Marmaduke  ;  "  what  cf 
the  weather  without  doors  ? " 

"  Why,  here  the  wind  has  been  all  day  at  the  south,  and  now 
there's  a  lull,  as  if  the  last  blast  was  out  of  the  bellows ;  and 
there's  a  streak  along  the  mountain,  to  the  north'ard,  that,  jur« 
.now,  wasn't  wider  than  the  bigness  of  your  hand  ;  and  then  tha 
clouds  drive  afore  it  as  you'd  brail  a  mainsail,  and  the  stars  are 
heaving  in  sight,  like  BO  many  lights  and  beacons,  put  there  to 
warn  us  to  pile  on  the  wood ;  and,  if  so  be  that  I'm  a  judge  of 
weather,  it's  getting  to  be  time  to  build  on  a  fire  ;  or  you'll  have 
half  of  them  there  porter  bottles,  and  them  dimmy-johns  of  wine, 
in  the  locker  here,  breaking  with  the  frost  afore  the  morning 
watch  is  called." 

"Thou  art  a  prudent  sentinel,"  said  the  Judge.  "Act  thy 
pleasure  with  the  forests,  for  this  night  at  least." 

Benjamin  did  as  he  was  ordered  ;  nor  had  two  hours  elapsed, 
before  the  prudence  of  his  precautions  became  very  visible.  The 
south  wind  had,  indeed,  blown  itself  out,  and  it  was  succeeded 
by  the  calmness  that  usually  gave  warning  of  a  serious  change  in 
the  weather.  Long  before  the  family  retired  to  rest,  the  cold 
bad  become  cuttingly  severe ;  and  when  Monsieur  Le  Quoi 
sallied  forth,  under  a  bright  moon,  to  seek  his  own  abode,  he 
was  compelled  to  beg  a  blanket^  in  which  he  might  envelop  his 
ibrm,  in  addition'  to  the  numerous  garments  that  his  sagacity  had 
provided  for  the  occasion.  The  divine  and  his  daughter  remained 
aii  inmates  of  the  Mansion-house,  during  the  night,  and  the  excess 
of  last  night's  merriment  induced  the  gentlemen  to  make  an  early 
retreat  to  their  several  apartments.  Long-before  midnight,  the 
whole  family  were  invisible. 

Elizabeth  and  her  friend  hao!  not  yet  lost  their  senses  in  sleep, 
when  the  bowlings  of  the  north-west  wind  were  heard  around  the 
buildings,  and  brought  with  them  that  exquisite  sense  of  comfort 
that  is  ever  excited  under  such  circumstances,  in  an  apartment 
•where  the  fire  has  not  yet  ceased  to  glimmer ;  and  curtains,  and 
shutters,  and  feathers  unite  to  preserve  the  desired  temperature. 
Once,  just  as  her  eyes  had  opened,  apparently  in  the  last  stage  of 
drowsiness,  the  roaring  winds  brought  with  them  a  long  and 
plaintive  howl,  that  seemed  too  wild  for  a  dog,  and  yet  resembled 
the  cries  of  that  faithful  animal,  when  night  awakens  his  vigil- 
ance, and  gives  sweetness  and  solemnity  to  nis  alarms.  The  form 
of  Louisa  want  instinctively  pressed  nearer  to  that  of  the  young 
heiress,  who,  finding  her  companion  was  yet  awake,  said,  in  a  low 
tone,  as  if  afraid  to  break  a  charm  with  her  voice, — 

"  Those  distant  cries  are  plaintive,  and  even  beautiful.  Can 
they  be  the  hounds  from  the  hut  of  Leather-stocking  ?" 

"  They  are  wolves,  who  have  ventured  from  the  mountain  on 
the  lake,"  whispered  Louisa,  "  and  who  are  only  kept  from  the 


THE  PIONEEW.  ITS 

village  by  the  lights.  One  night  since  we  have  been  here  Lunger 
drove  them  to  our  very  door.  Oh,  what  a  dreadful  night  it  was  I 
But  the  riches  of  Judge  Temple  have  given  him  too  ninny  safe- 
guards to  leave  room  for  fear  iu  this  house." 

"  The  enterprise  of  Judge  Temple  is  taming  the  very  forests  1 " 
exclaimed  Elizabeth,  throwing  off  the  covering,  and  partly  rising 
in  the  bed.  "How  rapidly  is  civilization  treading  on  the  foot- 
Fleps  of  nature  ! "  she  continued,  as  her  eye  glanced  over  not  on?y 
the  comforts  but  the  luxuries  of  her  apartment,  and  her  ear  agam 
listened  to  the  distant  but  ofU-n  repeafed  howls  from  the  lake. 
Finding,  however,  that  the  timidity  of  her  companion  rendered 
the  sounds  painful  to  her,  Elizabeth  resumed  her  place,  and  soon 
forgot  the  changes  in  the  country,  with  tlrose  in  her  own  con- 
dition, in  a  deep  sleep. 

*Ihe  following  morning  the  noJse  of  the  <emale  servant,  who 
entered  the  apartment  to  light  the  fire,  awoke  the  females.  Th«y 
arose,  and  finished  the  slight  preparations  of  their  toilets  in  a 
clear  cold  atmosphere,  that  penetrated  through  all  the  defenc  es 
of  even  Miss  Temple's  warm  room.  When  Elizabeth  was  attir«l, 
she  approached  a  window  and  drew  its  curtain,  and  throwing 
open  its  shutters,  she  endeavoured  to  look  abroad  on  the  village 
and  the  lake.  But  a  thick  covering  of  frost  on  the  glass,  wh;'le 
it  admitted  the  light,  shut  out  the  view.  She  raised  the  paHi. 
and  then,  indeed,  a  glorious  scene  met  her  delighted  eye. 

The  lake  had  exchanged  its  covering  of  unspotted  snow  for  i 
jface  of  dark  ice,  that  reflected  the  rays  of  the  rising  sun,  lifce 
a  polished  mirror.  The  houses  were  clothed  in  a  dress  of  tie 
same  description,  but  which,  owing  to  its  position,  shone  lite 
bright  steel ;  while  the  enormous  icicles,  that  were  pendent  frc  m 
every  roof,  caught  the  brilliant  light,  apparently  throwing  it 
from  one  to  the  other,  as  each  glittered?  on  the  side  next  the 
luminary,  with  a  golden  lustre  that  melted  away  on  its  opposite, 
into  the  dusky  shades  of  a  background.  But  it  was  the  appei  r- 
ance  of  the  boundless  forests,  that  covered  the  hills  as  they  rr«e 
in  the  distance,  one  over  the  other,  that  most  attracted  the  gpze 
of  Miss  Temple.  The  huge  branches  of  the  pines  and  hemlorts 
'  ut  with  the  weight  of  the  ice  they  supported,  while  th<u 
.-iunmits  rose  above  the  swelling  tops  of  the  oaks,  beeches,  at  d 
maples,  like  spires  of  burnished  silver  issuing  from  domes  of  t-Jie 
same  material.  The  limits  of  the  view  in  the  west  were  mark  •<! 
by  an  undulating  outline  of  bright  light,  as  if,  reversing  the  orc'er 
of  nature,  numberless  suns  might  momentarily  be  expected  to 
heave  above  the  horizon.  In  the  foreground  of  the  picture,  aloi  ig 
the  shores  of  the  lake,  and  near  to  the  village,  each  tree  f.eem'<l 
studded  with  diamonds.  Even  the  sides  of  the  mountains  where 
the  rays  of  the  sun  could  not  yet  fall  were  decciKt^d  with  -i 
glassy  coat,  that  presented  every  gradation  of  brilliancy,  from  tl  e 


TffE  PIONEERS. 

first  touen  of  the  ^ujninary  to  the  dark  foliage  of  the  hemlock, 
glistening  through  its  coat  of  crystal  In  short,  the  whole  view 
was  one  scene  of  quivering  radiancy,  as  lake,  mountains,  village, 
and  woods  each  emitted  a  portion  of  light,  tinged  with  its 
peculiar  hue,  and  varied  by  its  position  and  its  magnitude. 

"See  1"  cried  Elizabeth — "see,  Louisa  ;  hasten  to  the  window, 
and  observe  the  miraculous  change  ! " 

Miss  Grant  complied ;  and,  after  bending  for  a  moment  in 
silence,  from  the  opening,  she  observed,  in  a  low  tone,  as  if  afraid 
to  trust  the  sound  of  her  voice, — 

"The  change  is  indeed  wonderful  1  I  am  surprised  that  he 
bhould  be  able  to  effect  it  so  soon." 

Elizabeth  turned  in  amazement,  to  hear  so  sceptical  a  senti- 
ment from  one  educated  like  her  companion  ;  but  was  surprised 
to  find  that,  instead  of  looking  at  the  view,  the  mild  blue  eyes 
of  Miss  Grant  were  dwelling  on  tne  form  of  a  v/ell-dressed  young 
man,  who  was  standing  before  the  door  of  the  building  in  earnest 
conversation  with  her  father.  A  second  look  was  necessary 
before  she  was  able  to  recognise  the  person  of  the  young  hunter, 
in  a  plain  but  assuredly  the  ordinary  garb  of  a  gentleman. 

"Everything  in  this  magical  country  seems  to  border  on  the 
marvellous,"  said  Elizabeth  ;  "  and  among  all  the  changes,  this  is 
certainly  not  the  least  wonderful.  The  actors  are  as  unique  aa 
the  scenery." 

Miss  Grant  coloured,  and  arew  in  her  head. 

"  I  am  a  simple  country  girl,  Mfs?  Temple,  and  I  am  afraid  you 
will  find  me  but  a  poor  companion,"  she  said.  "  I — I  am  not 
sure  that  I  understand  all  you  say.  But  I  really  thought  that 
you  wished  me  to  notice  the  alteration  in  Mr.  Edwards.  Is  it 
not  more  wonderful,  when  we  recollect  his  origin  ?  They  say  he 
is  part  Indian." 

"  He  is  a  genteel  savage  ;  but  let  us  go  down,  and  give  the 
Sachem  his  tea ; — for  I  suppose  he  is  a  descendant  of  King  Philip, 
if  not  a  grandson  of  Pocahbntas." 

The  ladies  were  met  in  the  hall  by  Judge  Temple,  who  took 
his  daughter  aside,  to  apprise  her  of  that  alteration  in  the 
appearance  of  their  new  inmate  with  which  she  was  already 
acquainted. 

"  He  appears  reluctant  to  converse  on  his  former  situation," 
continued  Marmaduke ;  "but  I  gather  from  his  discourse,  as  it 
apparent  from  his  manner,  that  he  has  seen  better  days  ;  and  I 
really  am  inclining  to  the  opinion  of  Eichard  as  to  his  origin  ;  for 
it  was  no  unusual  thing  for  the  Indian  agents  to  rear  their  children 
in  a  laudable  manner,  and  " — 

"Very  well,  my  dear  sir,"  interrupted  his  daughter,  laughing, 
and  averting  her  eyes  ;  "  it  is  all  well  anough,  I  daresay  ;  but  as 
I  dp  not  understand  a  word  of  the  Mohawk  language,  he  must  be 


THE  PIONEERS.  *73 

content  to  epuak  English  ;  and  as  for  his  behaviour,  I  trust  lo 
your  discernment  to  control  it." 

"  Ay  1  but,  Bess,"  said  the  Judge,  detaining  her  gently  with 
his  hand,  "  nothing  must  be  said  to  him  of  his  past  life.  This  he 
has  begged  particularly  of  me  as  a  favour.  He  is  perhaps  a  little 
soured  just  now,  with  his  wounded  arm  ;  the  injury  seems  very 
light,  and  another  time  he  may  be  more  communicative." 

"  Oh,  I  am  not  much  troubled,  sir,  with  that,  laudable  thirct 
after  knowledge  that  is  called  curiosity  !  I  shall  believo  li in- 
to be  the  child  of  Corn-stalk,  or  Corn-planter,  or  some  othti 
renowned  chieftain  ;  possibly  of  the  Big  Snake  himself;  and 
shall  treat  him  as  such,  until  he  sees  fit  to  shave  his  good-looking 
head,  borrow  some  half-dozen  pair  of  my  best  ear-rings,  shoulder 
his  rifle  again,  and  disappear  as  suddenly  as  he  made  his 
entrance.  So  come,  my  dear  sir,  and  let  us  not  forget  the  rights 
of  hospitality,  for  the  short  time  he  is  to  remain  with  us." 

Judge  Temple  smiled  at  the  playfulness  of  his  child,  and  taking 
her  arm,  they  entered  the  breakfast  parlour,  where  the  young 
hunter  was  seated,  with  an  air  that  showed  his  determination 
to  domesticate  himself  in  the  family  with  as  little  parade  as 
possible. 

Such  were  the  incidents  that  led  to  this  extraordinary  increase 
in  the  family  of  Judge  Temple,  where,  having  once  established 
f.ie  youth,  the  subject  of  our  tale  requires  us  to  leave  him  for  a. 
time,  to  pursue  with  diligence  and  intelligence  the  employments 
that  were  assigned  him  by  Marmaduke. 

Major  Hartmann  made  his  customary  visit,  and  took  his  leave 
of  the  party,  for  the  next,  three  months.  Mr.  Grant  was  com- 
pelled to  be  absent  much  of  his  time,  in  remote  parts  of  the 
country,  and  his  daughter  became  almost  a  constant  visitor  at 
the  Mansion-house.  Richard  entered,  with  his  constitutional 
eagerness,  on  the  duties  of  his  new  office  ;  and,  as  Marmaduke 
was  much  employed,  with  the  constant  applications  of  adver- 
turers  for  farms,  the  winter  passed  swiftly  away.  The  lake  w?s 
a  principal  scene  for  the  amusements  of  the  young  people  ; 
where  the  ladies,  in  their  one-horse  cutter,  driven  by  Richard, 
and  attended,  when  the  snow,  would  admit  of  it,  by  j*ounj> 
Edwards  on  his  skates,  spent  many  hours,  taking,  the  benefit  cl 
exercise  in  the  clear  air  of  the  hills.  The  reserve  of  the  youth 
gradually  gave  way  to  time  and  his  situation,  though  it  was  still 
evident,  to  a  close  observer.,  that  he  had  frequent  moments  of 
bitter  and  intense  feeling. 

Elizabeth  saw  many  large  openings  appear  in  the  sides  of  th« 
mountains  during  the  three  succeeding  months,  where  different 
settlers  had,  in  the  language  of  the  country,  "made  their  pitch  ;* 
while  the  numberless  sleighs  that  passed  through  the  village, 
loaded  with  wheat  and  barrels  of  pot-ashes,  afforded  a  dear 


176  THE  PIONEEPS. 

demonstration  that  all  these  labours  were  not  undertaken  in 
vain.  In  short,  the  whole  country  was  exhibiting  the  bustle  of 
a  thriving  settlement,  whare  the  highways  were  thronged  wjth 
sleighs,  bearing  piles  of  rough  household  furniture  ;  studded, 
here  and  there  with  the  smiling  faces  of  women  and  children, 
happy  in  the  excitement  of  novelty ;  or  with  loads  of  produce, 
hastening  to  the  common  market  at  Albany,  that  served  as  so 
many  pnarcs,  to  induce  the  emigrants  to  enter  into  those  wild 
mountains  in  search  of  competence  and  happiness. 

The  village  wa*  alive  with  business  ;  the  artisans  increasing 
in  wealth  with  the  prosperity  of  the  country,  and  each  day 
witnessing  some  nearer  approach  to  the  manners  and  usages  of 
an-  old-settled  town.  The  man  who  carried  the  mail,  or  "the 
post,"  as  he  was  called,  talked  much  of  running. a  stage,  and,  once 
or  twice  during  the  winter,  he  was  seen  taking  a  single  passenger 
in  his  cutler  through  the  snow-banks,  towards  the  Mohawk, 
along  which  a  regular  vehicle  glided  semi-weekly,  with  the 
velocity  of  lightning,  and  under  the  direction  of  a  knowing  whip 
from  the  "  clown  countries."  Towards  spring,  divers  families,  who 
had  been  into  the  "old  .states"  to  see  their  relatives,  returned  in 
time  to  save  the  snow,  fi  equently  bringing  with  them  whole  neigh- 
bourhoods, who  \\ere  tempted  by  their  representations  to  leave 
the  farms  pf  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts,  and  make  a  trial  of 
fortune  in  the  woods. 

During  all  this  time  Oliver  Edwards,  whose  sudden  elevation 
excited  no  surprise  <i  that  changeful  country,  was  earnestly  en- 
gaged in  the  service  of  Marmaduke  during  the  days,  but  his  nights 
were  often  spent  in  the  hut  of  Leather-stocking.  The  intercourse 
between  the  three  hunters  was  maintained  with  a  certain  air  of 
myetery,  it  is  true,  but  with  much  zeal  and  apparent  interest  to 
all  the  parties.  Even  Mohegan  seldom  came  to  the  Mansion- 
house,  and  Natty  never;  but  Edwards  sought  every  leisure 
moment  to  visit  his  former  abode,  from  which  he  would  often 
return  in  the  gloomy  hours  .of  night,  through  the  enow,  or,  if  de- 
tained beyond  the  time  at  which  the  family  retired  to  rest,  with 
the  morning  sun.  These  visits  certainly  excited  much  speculation 
in  those  to  whom  they  were  known,  but  no  comments  were  made, 
excepting  occasionally  in  whispers  from  Richard,  who  would 
say,— 

"It  is  not  at  all  remarkable; — a  half- breed  can  never  be 
weaned  from  his  savage  ways ;  and  for  one  of  his  lineage,  the 
boy  is  much  nearer  civilization  than  could,  in  reason,  be  ex- 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Away  !  nor  let  me  loiter  in  my  ftong, 

For  we  have  many  a  mountain  path  to  tread.  BY  BON. 

Ato  thu  spring  gradually  approached,  the  immense  piles  of  snow, 
Ihat  by  alternate  thaws  ami  frosts  and  repeated  storms  bad  ob- 
tained a  firmness  which  threatened  a  tiresome  durability,  began 
to  yield  to  the  influence  of  milder  breezes  and  a  warmer  sun.  The 
gates  of  heaven  at  times  seemed  to  open,  and  a  bland  air  diffused 
itself  over  the  earth,  when  animate  and  inanimate  nature  would 
awaken,  and  for  a  few  hours  the  gaiety  of  spring  shone  in  every 
eye,  and  smiled  on  every  field.  But  the  shivering  blasts  from 
the  north  would  carry  their  chill  influence  over  the  scene  again, 
and  the  dark  and  gloomy  clouds  that  intercepted  the  rays 
of  the  sun  were  not  more  cold  and  dreary  than  the  reaction. 
These  struggles  between  the  seasons  became  daily  more  fre- 
quent, while  the  earth,  like  a  victim  to  contention,  slowly  lost  the 
animated  -brilliancy  of  winter,  without  obtaining  the  asuect  of 
spring. 

Several  weeks  were  consumed  in  this  cheerless  manner,  during 
which  the  inhabitants  of  the  country  gradually  changed  the.ir 
pursuits  from  the  social  and  bustling  movements  of  the  time  of 
snow  to  the  laborious  and  domestic  engagements  of  the  comity 
season.  The  village  was  no  longer  thronged  with  visitors  ;  the 
trade  that,  had  enlivened  the  shops  for  several  months  began  to 
disappear  ;  the  highways  lost 'their  shining  coats  of  beaten  bnow 
in  impassable  sloughs,  and  were  deserted  by  the  gay  and 
noisy  travellers  who,  in  sleighs,  had  during  the  winter  glided 
along  their  windings ;  and,  in  short,  everything  seemed  indl- 
1-ntivp  of  a  mighty  change,  not  only  in  the  earth,  but  to  those 
\\lio  derived  their  sources  of  comfort  and  happiness  from  ita 
bosom. 

The  younger  members  of  the  family  in  the  Mansion-house, 
of  which  Louisa  Grant  was  now  habitually  one,  were  by  no  means 
indifferent  ob-servers  of  these  fluctuating  and  tardy  changes. 
While  the  snow  rendered  the  roads  p'assable,  they  had  partaken 
largely  in  the  amusements  of  the  winter,  which  included  not  only 
daily  rides  over  tho  mountains,  and  through  eveijy  valley  within 


178  THE  PIONEERS. 

twenty  miles  of  them,  but  divers  ingenious  and  varied  sources  oi 
pleasure  oa  the  bosom  of  their  frozen  lake.  There  had  been  ex- 
cursions in  the  equipage  of  Richard,  when,  with  his  four  horses, 
he  had  outstripped  the  winds  as  it  flew  over  the  glassy  ice  which 
invariably  succeeded  a  thaw.  Then  the  es  citing  and  dangerous 
"whirligig"  would  be  suffered  to  possess  its  moment  of  notice. 
Cutters  drawn  by  a  single  horse,  and  hand- sleds  impelled  by  the 
gentlemen  on  skates,  would  each  in  turn  be  used  ;  and,  in  short, 
every  source  of  relief  against  the  tediousness  of  a  winter  in  the 
mountains  was  resorted  to  by  the  family.  Elizabeth  vras  com- 
pelled to  acknowledge  to  her  father  that  the  season,  with  the 
aid  of  his  library,  was  much  less  irksome  than  she  had  antici- 
pated. 

As  exercise  in  the  open  air  was  in  some  degree  necessary  to  the 
habits  of  the  family,  when  the  constant  recurrence  of  frosts  and 
thaws  rendered  the  roads,  which  were  dangerous  at  the  most 
favourable  times,  utterly  impassable  for  wheels,  saddle  horses 
were  used  as  substitutes  for  other  conveyances.  Mounted  on 
email  and  sure-footed  beasts,  the  ladies  would  again  attempt  the 
passages  of  the  mountains,  and  penetrate  into  every  retired  glen, 
where  the  enterprise  of  a  settler  had  induced  him  to  establish 
himself.  In  these  excursions  they  were  attended  by  some  one  or 
all  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  family,  as  their  different  pursuits 
admitted.  Young  Edwards  was  hourly  becoming  more  familiar- 
ized to  his  situation,  and  not  unfrequently  mingled  in  the  parties, 
with  an  unconcern  and  gaiety  that  for  a  short  time  woula  expel 
all  unpleasant  recollections  from  his  mind.  Habit  and  the  buoy- 
ancy of  youth  seemed  to  be  getting  the  ascendancy  over  the  secret 
causes  of  his  uneasiness,  though  there  were  moments  when  the 
same  remarkable  expression  of  disgust  would  cross  his  intercourse 
with  Marmaduke,  that  had  distinguished  their  conversation  in 
the  first  days  of  their  acquaintance. 

It  was  at  the  close  of  the  month  of  March  that  the  Sheriff  suc- 
ceeded in  persuading  his  cousin  and  her  young  friend  to  accom- 
pany him  in  a  ride  to  a  hill  that  was  said  to  overhang  the  lake  in 
a  manner  peculiar  to  itself. 

"  Besides,  cousin  Bess,"  continued  the  indefatigable  Richard, 
"  we  will  stop  and  see  the  '  sugar  bush '  of  Billy  Kirby  ;  he  is  on 
the  east  end  of  the  Ransom  lot,  making  sugar  for  Jared  Ransom. 
There  is  not  a  better  hand  over  a  kettle  in  the  county  than  that 
same  Kirby.  You  remember,  'duke,  that  I  had  him  his  first 
season  in  our  own  camp  •  and  it  is  not  a  wonder  that  he  knows 
something  of  his  trade." 

"  He's  a  good  chopper,  is  Billy,"  observed  Benjamin,  who  held 
the  bridle  of  the  norse  while  the  Sheriff  mounted ;  "  and  he 
handles  an  axe  much  the  same  as  a  forecastle-man  does  his 
inarling-spike,  or  a  tailor  bis  goose.  They  eay  hell  lift  a  potash 


THE  PIONEERS.  ITS 

kettle  off  the  arch  alone,  thof  I  caa't  say  that  1'va  ever  seen  him 
<to  it  with  my  own  eyes  ;  but  that  is  the.  eay.  And  I've  seen 
sugar  of  his  making,  which  maybe  wasn't  as  white  as  an  old 
top-gallant  sail,  but  which  my  friend,  Mistress  Prettybones, 
.within  there,  said  had  the  true  molasses  einack  to  it ;  and  you 
are  not  the  one,  Squire  Dickens,  to  be  told  that  Mistresa 
Remarkable  has  a  remarkable  tooth  for  sweet  things  in  her  nut- 
grinder." 

The  loud  laugh  that  succeeded  tha  wit  of  Benjamin,  and  in 
which  he  participated,  with  no  very  harmonious  sounds,  himself, 
xrery  fully  illustrated  the  congenial  temper  which  existed  between 
the  pair.  Most  of  its  point  was,  however,  lost  on  the  rest  of  the 
party,  who  were  either  mounting  their  horses  or  assisting  the 
ladies  at  the  moment.  When  all  were  safely  in  their  saddles,  they 
moved  through  the  village  in  great  order.  They  paused  for  a 
moment  before  the  door  of  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  until  he  could  be- 
stride his  steed,  and  then  issuing  from  the  little  cluster  of  houses, 
they  took  one  of  the  principal  of  those  highways  that  centred  in 
the  village. 

As  er.cn  night  brought  with  it  a  severe  fruat,  whu  h  the  heat  of 
the  succeeding  day  served  to  dissipate,  the  equestrians  were  com- 
pelled to  proceed  singly  along  the  margin  of  the  road,  where  the 
turf  and  firmness  of  the  ground  gave  the  horses  a  secure  footing. 
Very  trifling  indications  cf  vegetation  were  to  be  seen,  the  surface 
of  the  earth  presenting  a  cold,  wet,  and  cheerless  aspect  that  chilled 
the  blood.  The  snow  yet  lay  scattered  over  most  of  those  distant 
clearings  that  were  visible  in  different  parts  of  the  mountains  ; 
though  here  and  there  an  opening  might  be  seen,  where,  as  the 
white  covering  yielded  to  the  season,  the  bright  and  lively  greea 
of  the  wheat  served  to  enkindle  the  hopes  of  the  husbandman. 
Nothing  could  Le  more  marked  than  tne  contrast  between  the 
earth  and  the  heavens  ;  for  while  the  former  presented  the 
dreary  view  that  we  have  described,  a  warm  and  invigorating 
sun  was  dispensing  his  heats  from  a  sky  that  contained  but  a 
solitary  cloud,  and  through  an  atmosphere  that  softened  the 
rolours  of  the  sensible  horizon  until  it  shone  like  a  sea  of  blue. 

Richard  led  the  way  on  this,  as  on  all  other  occasions,  that  did 
not  require  the  exercise  of  unusual  abilities  ;  and  as  he  moved 
along,  ne  essayed  to  enliven  the  party  with  the  sounds  of -ti« 
experienced  voice. 

"  This  is  your  true  sugar  weather,  'duke,"  he  cried  ;  "  a  frosty 
night  and  a  sunshiny  day.  I  warrant  me  that  the  sap  runs  like 
a  mill-tail  up  the  maples  this  warm  morning.  It  is  a  pity,  Judge, 
that  you  do  not  introduce  a  little  more  science  into  the  manufac- 
ture of  sugar  among  your  tenants.  It  might  be  done,  sir,  without 
knowing  as  much  as  Doctor  Franklin — it  might  be  done,  Judge 
Temple." 


180  THE  PIONEERS. 

•  '  "  The  first  object  of  my  solicitude,  friend  Jones,"  returned 
Ma'Tnaduke,  "  is  to  protect  the  sources  of  this  great  mine  of 
comfort  and  wealth  from  the  extravagance  of  the  people  them- 
selves. When  this  important  point  shall  be  achieved,  it  will  be 
in  season  to  turn  our  attention  to  an  improvement  in  the  manu- 
facture of  the  article.  But  thou  knowest,  Richard,  that  I  have 
alrt&dy  subjected  our  sugar  to  the  process  of  the  refiner,  and 
tha*  the  result  has  produced  loaves  as  white  as  the  snow  on  yon 
fields,  and  possessing  the  sacchirine  quality  in  its  utmost  purity." 

"  Saccharine,  or  turpentine,  or  any  other  'ine,  Judge  Temple, 
yoii  have  never  made  a  loaf  larger  than  a  good-sized  sugar-plum," 
retimed  the  Sheriff.  "  Now,  sir,  I  assert  that  no  experiment  is 
fail ly  tried  until  it  be  reduced  to  practical  purposes.  If,  sir,  I 
owned  a  hundred,  or,  for  that  matter,  two  hundred  thousand  acres 
of  ]  »ud,  as  you  do,  I  would  build  a  sugar-house  in  the  village  ;  1 
wo  lid  invite  learned  men  to  an  investigation  of  the  subject, — and 
suc\  are  easily  to  be  found,  sir  ;  yes,  sir,  they  are  not  difficult  to 
fim\, — men  who  unite  theory  witn  practice  ;  and  I  would  select  a 
ivcxd  of  young  and  thrifty  trees  ;  and  instead  of  making  loaves  of 
thq  size  of  a  lump  of  candy,  dam'ine,  'duke,  but  I'd  have  them  as 
big  as  a  haycock. 

'•'  And  purchase  the  cargo  of  one  of  those  ships  that,  they  say, 
are  going  to  China,"  cried  Elizabeth  ;  "turn  your  potash- 
keifles  into  tea-cups,  the  scows  on  the  lake  into  saucers  ;  bake 
yom1  cake  in  yonder  lime- kiln,  and  invite  the -county  to  a 
\f  a-party.  How  wonderful  are  the  projects  of  genius  1  Really, 
sir,  the  world  is  of  opinion  that  Judge  Temple  has  tried  the 
experiment  fairly,  though  he  did  not  cause  his  loaves  to  be  cast 
in  moulds  of  the  magnitude  that  would  suit  your  magnificent 
conceptions." 

"  You  may  laugh,  cousin  Elizabeth — you  may  laugh,  madam," 
retorted  .Richard,  turning  himself  so  much  in  his  saddle  as  to  face 
the  party,  and  making  dignified  gestures  with  his  whip  ;  "  but  I 
appeal  to  common  sense,  cood  sense,  or,  what  is  of  more  import- 
ance than  either,  to  the  sense  of  taste,  which  is  one  of  the  five 
natural  senses,  whether  a  big  loaf  of  sugar  is  not  likely  to  contain 
a  better  illustration  of  a  proposition  than  such  a  lump  as  one  of 
your  Dutch  women  puts  under  her  tongue  when  she  drinks  her 
tea.  There  are  two  wajrs  of  doing  everything — the  right  way  and 
the  wrong  way.  You  make  sugar  now,  I  will  admit,  and  you 
may  possibly  make  loal-sugar ;  but  I  take  the  question  to  be, 
whether  you  make  Ino  best  possible  sugar,  and  in  the  best 
possible  loaves.'' 

"  Thou  art  very  n^ht,  Richard,"  observed  Marmaduke,  with,  a 
gravity  in  bis  air  that  proved  how  much  he  was  interested  in  the 
subject.  "  It  is  very  true  that  we  manufacture  sugar,  and  the 
enquiry  is  quit*  o^ei'iil,  how  much  ?  and  in  what  manner?  I  hope 


TEE  PIONEERS.  181 

<o  live  to  sec  tbc  day  when  farms  and  plantations  stall  be  devoted 
to  this  branch  of  business.  Little  is  known  concerning  the  pro- 
perties of  the  tree  itself,  the  source  of  all  this  wi-alth  ;  how  much  it 
may  be  improved  "by  cultivation,  by  the  n«e  of  the  hoe  and  plough." 

"Hoe  aud  plough  1"  roared  the  Shpnff; — "would  you  set  a 
man  hoeing  round  the  root  of  n  maple  like  this  1"  pointing  to  one 
of  the  noble  trees  that  occur  so  frequently  in  that  part  of  the 
country.  "  Hoeing  trees  1  are  you  mad,  'duke  ?  This  is  next  to 
hunting  for  coal  1  Poh  I  poh  !  my  dear  cousin,  hear  reason,  and 
leave  the  management  of  the  sugar-bush  to  me.  Here  is  Mr.  Le 
Quoi,  he  has  been  in  the  West  Indies,  and  has  Been  sugar  made. 
Let  him  give  an  account  of  how  it  is  made  there;  and  you  will 
hear  the  philosophy  of  the  thing.  Well,  Monsieur,  how  is  it 
that  you  make  sugar  in  the  West  Indies ;  anything  in  Judge 
Temple's  fashion?" 

The  gentleman  to  whom  this  query  was  put  was  mounted  on  a 
small  horse,  of  no  very  fiery  temperament,  and  was  ndmg  with  his 
stirrups  so  short,  as  to  bring  his  knees,  while  the  animal  rose  a 
email  ascent  in  the  wood-path  they  were  now  travelling,  into  a 
somewhat  hazardous  vicinity  to  his  chin.  There  was  no  room 
for  gesticulation  or  grace  in  the  delivery  of  his  reply,  for  the 
mountain  was  steep  and  slippery  ;  and  although  the  Frenchman 
had  an  eye  of  uncommon  magnitude  on  either  fide  of  his  face, 
they  did  not  seem  to  be  half  competent  to  forewarn  him  of  the 
impediments  of  bushes,  twigs,  and  fallen  trees,  that  were 
momentarily  crossing  his  path.  With  one  hand  employed  in 
averting  these  dangers,  and  the  other  grasping  his  ondle  to 
check  an  untoward  speed  that  his  horse  was  assuming,  the  native 
of  France  responded  as  follows  : — 

"  Sucre  1  dey  do  make  sucre  in  Martinique  :  mais — mais  ce  n'est 
pas, one  tree;— ah — ah— vat  you  call — Je  voudrois  quo  ces  chemins 
mssent  au  diable — vat  you  call — steeck  pour  le  promenade  " 

"  Cane,"  said  Elizabeth,  smiling  at  the  imprecation  whieh  tho 
wary  Frenchman  supposed  was  understood  only  by  himself. 

"  Oui,  mam'selle,  cane." 

"  Yes,  yes,"  cried  Richard,  "  cane  is  the  vulgar  name  for  it,  but 
the  real  term  is  saccharum  oflScinarum  ;  ana  what  we  call  the 
sugar,  or  hard  maple,  is  acer  saccharinum.  These  are  the  learned 
names,  Monsieur,  and  are  such  as.doubtless,  vou will  understand." 

"Is  this  Greek  or  Latin,  Mr.  Edwards  ?  whispered  Elizabeth 
to  the  youth,  who  was  opening  a  passage  for  herself  and  her 
companions  through  the  bushes — "  or  perhaps  it  is  a  still  more 
learned  language,  for  an  interpretation  of  which  we  must  look  to 
you." 

The  dark  eye  of  the  young  man  glanced  towards  the  speaker, 
but  its  resentful  expression  changed  in  a  moment 

"I  shall  remember  your  doubts,  Miss  Temple,  when  next  I 

N 


182  THE  PIONEERS. 

visit  my  old  fi  lend  Mohogan,  and  cither  his  skill,  or  that  of 
Leather-stocking,  shall  solve  them." 

"  And  are  you,  then,  really  ignorant  of  their  language  ? " 

"  Not  absolutely  ;  but  the  deep  learning  of  Mr.  Jones  is  more 
familiar  to  me,  or  even  the  polite  masquerade  of  Monsieur  LeQuoi." 

"  Do  you  speak  French  ? "  eaid  the  lady,  with  quickness. 

"It  is  a  common  language  with  the  Iroquois,  and  through 
the  Canadas,"  he  answered,  smiling. 

"  Ah  1  but  they  are  Mingoes,  and  your  enemies."' 

<!  It  will  be  v/ell  for  me  if  I  have  no  worse,"  said  the  youth, 
dashing  ahead  with  his  horse,  and  putting  an  end  to  the  evasive 
dialogue. 

The  discourse,  however,  was  maintained  with  great  vigour  by 
Richard,  until  they  reached  an  open  wood  on  the  summit  of  the 
mountain,  where  the  hemlocks  and  pines  totally  disappeared,  and 
a  grove  of  the  very  trees  that  formed  the  subject  of  debate 
covered  the  earth  with  their  tall,  straight  trunks  and  spreading 
branches,  in  stately  pride.  The  underwood  had  been  entirely 
removed  from  this  grove,  or  bush,  as  in  conjunction  with  the 
simple  arrangements  for  boiling,  it  was  called,  r.nd  a  wide  space  of 
many  acres  was  cleared,  which  might  be  likened  to  the  dome  of  a 
mighty  temple,  to  which  the  maples  formed  the  columns,  then- 
tops  composing  the  capitals,  and  the  heavens  the  arch.  A  deep 
and  careless  incision  had  been  made  into  each  tree,  near  its  roof, 
into  which  little  spouts,  formed  of  the  bark  of  the  alder,  or  of  tbe 
sumach,  were  fastened ;  and  a  trough,  roughly  dug  out  of  the 
linden,  or  basswood,  was  lying  at  the  root  of  each  tree,  to  catch  the 
sap  that  flowed  from  this  extremely  wasteful  and  inartificial 
arrangement. 

The  party  paused  a  moment,  on  gaining  the  flat,  to  breathe 
their  horses,  and,  as  the  scene  was  entirely  new  to  eereral  of  their 
number,  to  view  the  manner  of  collecting  the  nuid.  A  fine 
powerful  voice  aroused  them  from  their  momentary  silence,  as  it 
rung  under  the  branches  of  the  trees,  singing  the  following  words 
of  that  inimitable  doggerel,  whose  verses,  if  extended,  would  reach 
from  ths  waters  of  the  Connecticut  to  the  shores  of  Ontario 
The  tune  was,  of  course,  that  familiar  air,  which,  although  it  i? 
said  to  have  been  first  applied  to  his  nation  in  derision,  circura 
stances  have  since  rendered  so  glorious,  that  no  American  ever 
hears  its  jingling  cadence  without  feeling  a  thrill  at  his  heart. 

"The  Eastern  Statea  ba  fall  of  men, 
The  Western  fall  of  woods,  sir, 
The  hilla  be  like  a  cattle  pen, 
The  roads  be  fall  of  goods,  sir  I 
Then  flow  away,  my  cwceiy  sap, 

And  I  will  make  you  body, 
Nor  catch  a  -.    ot'^aaa's  hasty  nap, 
For  faar  7;.  sliucdd  get  roily. 


THE  PIONEEJR8.  183 

"The  maple  tree's  a  precious  on«, 

'Tia  fuel,  food,  and  timber  ; 
And  when  your  stiff  day's  work  la  done, 
Its  jnice  will  make  you  limber 
Then  flow  away,  etc. 

"  And  what's  a  man  without  his  dans, 

His  wife  without  her  tea,  sir? 
But  neither  cupjior  mug  will  pass, 
Without  this  honey-bee,  eirf 
Then  flow  away,"  etc. 

During  the  execution  of  this  sonorous  doggerel,  Richard  kept 
time  with  his  whip  on  the  mane  of  his  charger,  accompanying 
the  gestures  with  a  corresponding  movement  of  his  head  and 
body.  Towards  the  close  ot  the  song,  he  was  overheard  humming 
the  chorus,  and  at  its  last  repetition,  to  strike  in  at  "  sweety  eap, 
and  carry  a  second  fcrough,  with  a  prodigious  addition  to  the 
"  effect "  of  the  noise,  if  aot  to  that  ot  the  harmony. 

"Well  done  us  I "  roared  the  Sheriff  on  the  same  key  with  the 
tune;  "a  very  good"  song,  Billy  Kirby,  and  very  well  sung. 
Where  got  you  the  words,  lad  ?  is  there  more  of  it,  and  can  you 
furnish  mo  with  a  copy? 

The  sugar- boiler,  who  was  busy  in  his  "camp,"  at  a  short 
distance  from  the  equestrians,  turned  his  head  with  great  in- 
difference, and  surveyed  the  party,  as  they  approached,  with 
admirable  coolness.  To  each  individual,  as  he  or  she  rode  close 
by  him,  he  gave  a  nod  that  was  extremely  good-natured  and 
affable,  but  which  partook  largely  of  the  virtue  of  equality,  for 
not  even  to  the  ladies  did  he  in  the  least  vary  his  mode  of 
salutation,  by  touching  the  apology  for  a  hat  that  he  wore,  or 
by  any  other  motion  than  the  one  we  have  mentioned. 

"  Plow  goes  it,  how  goes  it,  Sheriff  ? "  said  the  wood-chopper  ; 
(:  what's  the  good  word  in  the  Village  ? " 

"  Why,  much  as  usual,  Billy,"  returned  Richard.  "  But  how 
is  this  ?  where  are  your  four  kettles,  and  your  troughs,  and  your 
iron  coolers?  Do  you  make  sugar  in  this  slovenly  way?  I 
iL  ought  you  were  one  of  the  best  sugar-boilers  in  the  county." 

"  I'm  all  that,  Squire  Jones,"  said  Kirby,  who  continued  his 

a tion  ;  "  I'll  turn  my  back  to  no  man  in  the  Otsego  hills 

opping  and  logging,  for  boiling  down  the  maple  sap,  for 

,13  brick-kiln,  splitting  out  rails,  making  potash,  and  parling 

loo,  or  hoeing  corn ;  though  I  keep  myself  pretty  much  to  the 

ili-sit  business,  seeing  that  the  axe  comes  most  natural  to  me." 

"  You  be  von  Jack  All-trade,  Mister  Beel,"  said  Monsieur  Lo 
Quoi. 

"How?"  said  Kirby,  looking  up,  with  a  simplicity  which, 
coupled  with  his  gigantic  frame  and  manly  face,  was  a  little 


ridi 
sugar 


ulous,  "  if  you  be  for  trade,  Mounsher,  here  is  some  as  good 
r  as  you'll  find  the  season  through.    It's  as  clear  from  dirt  aa 


it*  THE PIONEERS. 

the  Jarman  Flats  is  free  from  stumps,  and  it  has  the  raal  maple 
flavour.    Such  stuff  would  sell  in  York  for  candy." 

The  Frenchman  approached  the  place  whore  Kirby  had  de- 
posited his  cakes  of  sugar,  under  the  cover  of  a  bark  roof,  and 
commenced  the  examination  of  the  article  with  the  eye  of  one 
who  well  understood  its  value.  Marmaduke  had  dismounted, 
and  was  viewing  the  works,  and  the  trees  very  closely,  and  not 
without  frequent  expressions  of  dissatisfaction  at  the  careless 
manner  in  wnich  the  manufacture  was  conducted. 

"  You  have  much  experience  in  these  things,  Kirb;^"  he  said ; 
•"'  what  course  do  you  pursue  in  making  your  sugar  T  I  see  you 
have  but  two  kettles." 

"  Two  is  as  good  as  two  thousand,  Judge ;  I'm  none  of  your 
polite  sugar-makers,  that  boils  for  the  great  folks ;  but  if  the  raal 
sweet  maple  is  wanted,  I  can  answer  your  turn.  First,  I  choose, 
and  then  I  tap  my  trees  ;  say  along  about  the  last  of  February, 
or  in  these  mountains  maybe  not  afore  the  middle  of  March ;  but 
any  way,  just  as  the  sap  begins  to  cleverly  run" — 

"Well,  in  this  choice,"  interrupted  'Marmaduke,  "are  you 
governed  by  any  outward  signs,  ttiat  prove  the  quality  of  the 
tree?" 

"Why,  there's  judgment  in  all  things,"  said  Kirby,  stirring  the 
liquor  in  his  kettles  briskly.  "There's  something  in  knowing 
when  and  how  much  to  stir  the  pot.  It's  a  thing  that  must 
be  larnt.  Rome  wasn't  built  in  a  day,  nor,  for  that  matter, 
Ttmpletown  either,  though  it  may  be  said  to  be  a  quick-growing 
place.  I  never  put  my  axe  into  a  stunty  tree,  or  one  that  hasn't 
a  good,  fresh-looking  bark  ;  for  trees  have  disorders  like  creaters: 
and  where's  the  policy  of  taking  a  tree  that's  sickly,  any  more 
than  you'd  choose  a  foundered  norse  to  ride  post,  or  an  over- 
heated ox  to  do  your  logging." 

"All  this  is  true.  But  what  are  the  signs  of  illness  ?  how  do 
you  distinguish  a  tree  that  is  well  from  one  that  is  diseased  ?" 

"  How  does  the  doctor  tell  who  has  fever,  and  who  colds  ? " 
interrupted  Richard — "  by  examining  the  skin,  and  feeling  the 
pulse,  to  be  sure." 

"Sartain,"  continued  Billy,  "the  Squire  an't  far  out  of  the 
way.  It's  by  the  look  of  the  thing,  sure  enough.— Well,  when 
the  sap  begins  to  get  a  free  run,  I  hang  over  the  kettles,  and  set 
up  the  busa.  My  first  boiling  I  push  pretty  smartly*  till  I  ge-t 
tfie  virtue  of  the  sap  ;  but  when  it  begins  to  grow  of  a  molasses 
nater,  like  this  in  the  kettle,  one  musn't  drive  the  fires  too  hard, 
or  you'll  burn  the  sugar :  and  burny  sugar  is  bad  to  the  taste, 
let  it  be  never  so  sweet.  So  you  ladle  out  from  one  kettle  into 
the  other,  till  it  gets  so,  when  you  put  the  stirring  stick  into  it 
that  it  will  draw  into  a  thread — when  it  takes  a  kerful  hand 
to  manage  it.— Thare  is  a. way  to  drain  it  off,  after  it  haa  grained, 


THE  PIONEERS.  185 

by  putting  clay  into  the  pans,  Imt  it  isn't  alway«  practised  :  Bonia 
doos,  and  some  doosn't.  Well,  Mounaher,  be  we  likely  to  make 
a  trade  ? " 

"  I  vijl  give  you,  Mister  Beel,  for  von  pound,  dix  sous." 

"  No,  1  expect  cash  for't :  I  never  dicker  iny  sugar. — But, 
seeing  that  it's  you,  Mounsher,"  said  Billy,  with  a  coaxing  emile, 
" 111  agree  to  receive  a  gallon  of  runi,  and  cloth  enough  for  two 
;L;rt3,  if  you  will  take  the  molasses  in  the  bargain.  It's  raal 
good.  I  wouldn't  deceive  you  or  any  man  ;  and  to  my  drinking 
'.  i/o  about  the  best  molasses  that  come  out  of  a  sugar-bush." 

':  Mr.  Le  Quoi  has  offered  you  tenpence,"  said  young  Ed-wards. 

The  manufacturer  stared  at  the  speaker  with  an  air  of  great 
<>r},  bu*  made  no  reply. 

"  Oui,:>  said  the  Frenchman,  "  ten  penny.  Je  vous  remercie, 
Monsieur  :  ah  !  mon  Anglois  !  je  1'oublie  toujours." 

The  wood-chopper  looked  from  one  to  the  other,  with  some 
displeasure  ;  and  evidently  imbibed  the  opinion  that  they  were 
amusing  themselves  at  his  expense.  He  seized,  the  enormous 
ladle,  which  was  lying  in  one  of  his  kettles,  and  began  to  stir  the 
boiling  liquid  with  great  diligence.  After  a  moment  passed  in 
dipping  the  ladle  full,  and  then  raising  it  on  high,  as  the  thick 
rich  fluid  fell  buck  into  the  kettle,  he  suddenly  gave  it  a  whirl, 
as  if  to  cool  what  yet  remained,  and  offered  the  bowl  to  Mr.  Le 
Quoi,  saying,— 

"  Taste  that,  Mounsher,  and  you  will  say  it  is  worth  more  than 
your  offer.  The  molasses  itself  would  fetch  the  money." 

The  complaisant  Frenchman,  after  several  timid  efforts  to  trust 
his  lips  in  contact  with  the  bowl  of  the  ladle,  got  a  good  swallow 
r?  the  ecalding  liquid.  He  clapped  his  hand  on  his  breast,  and 
looked  most  piteously  at  the  ladles,  for  a  »ingle  instant ;  and 
then,  to  use  the  language  of  Billy,  when  he  afterwards  recounted 
the  tale,  "no  drumsticks  ever  went  faster  on  the  skin  of  a  sheep, 
than  the  Frenchman's  legs  for  a  round  or  two :  and  then,  such 
swearing  and  spitting,  in  French,  you  never  saw.  But  it's  a 
knowing  one,  from  the  old  countries,  that  thinks  to  get  his  jokea 
smoothly  over  a  wood-chopper." 

The  air  of  innocence  with  which  Kirby  resumed  the  occupation 
of  stirring  the  contents  of  his  kettle  would  have  completely 
deceived  the  spectators,  as  to  his  agency  in  the  temporary  suffer- 
ing of  Mr.  Le  Quoi,  had  not  the  reckless  fellow  thrust  his  tongue 
into  his  cheek,  and  cast  his  eyes  over  the  party,  with  a  simplicity 
of  expression  that  was  too  exquisite  to  be  natural.  Mr.  Le  Quoi 
soon  recovered  his  presence  of  mind,  and  his  decorum  ;  he  briefly 
apologized  to  the  ladies  for  one  or  two  very  intemperate  expres- 
sions that  had  escaped  him  in  a  moment  ot  extraordinary  excite- 
ment, and  remounting  his  horse,  he  continued  in  the  background 
during  the  remainder  of  the  visit,  the  wit  of  Kirby  putting  a 


i8tt  THE  PIONEERS. 

violent  termination,  at  once,  to  all  negotiations  on  the  subject^  of 
trade.  During  all  this  time  Marmaduke  had  been  wandering 
about  the  grove,  making  observations  on  his  favourite  trees,  and 
the  wasteful  manner  in  which  the  wood-chopper  conducted  his 
manufacture, 

"It  grieves  me  to  witness  the  extravagance  that  pervades 
this  country,"  said  the  Judge,  "  where  the  settlers  tniie  with 
the  blessings  they  might  enjoy,  with  the  prodigality  of  suc- 
cessful adventurers.  You  are  not  exempt  from  the  censure 
yourself,  Kirby,  for  you  make  dreadful  wounds  in  these  trees, 
where  a  small  incision  would  effect  the  same  object.  I 
earnestly  beg  you  will  remember,  that  they  are  the  growth  of 
centuries,  and  when  once  gone,  none  living  will  see  their  loss 
remedied." 


them,  I've  a  pretty  heavy  account  to  settle ;  for  I've  chopped 
over  the  best  half  of  a  thousand  acres,  with  my  own  hands, 
counting  both  Varmount  and  York  States;  and  I. hope  to  live 
to  finish  the  whull,  before  I  lay  tip  my  axe.  Chopping  comes 
quite  natural  to  me,  and  I  wish  no  other  employment ;  but  Jared 
Kansom  said  that  he  thought  the  sugar  was  likely  to  be  source 
this  season,  seeing  that  so  many  folks  was  coming  into  the 
settlement,  and  so  I  concluded  to  take  the  'bush'  on  sheares,  for 
this  one  spring.  What's  the  best  news,  Judge,  consarning  ashes  ? 
do  pots  hold  so  that  a  man  can  live  by  them  still  ?  I  s'pose  they 
wilt,  if  they  keep  on  fighting  across  the  water." 

"  Thou  reasonest  with  judgment,  William,"  returned  Marma- 
duke. "  So  long  as  the  old  world  is  to  be  convulsed  with  wars, 
so  long  will  the  harvest  of  America  continue." 

"  Well,  it's  an  ill  wind,  Judge,  that  blows  nobody  any  good. 
Fm  sure  the  country  is  in  a '  thriving  way  ;  and,  though  I 
know  you  calkilate  greatly  on  the  trees,  setting  as  much  store 
by  them  as  some  men  would  by  their  children,  yet  to  my 
eyes  they  are  a  sore  sight  at  any  time,  unless  I'm  privileged  to 
work  my  will  on  them  ;  in  which  case  I  can't  say  out  they  are 
more  to  my  liking.  I  have  heard  the  settlers  from  the  old 
countries  say  that  their  rich  men  keep  great  oaks  and  elms, 
that  would  make  a  barrel  of  pots  to  the  tree,  standing  round 
their  doors  and  humsteads,  and  scattered  over  their  farms,  juet 
to  look  at.  Now,  I  call  no  country  much  improved,  that  is 
pretty  well  covered  with  trees.  Stumps  are  a  different  thing, 
for  they  don't  shade  the  land ;  and  besides,  if  you  dig  them, 
they  make  a  fence  that  will  turn  anything  bigger  than  a  hog, 
being  grand  for  breachy  cattle." 

"  Opinions  on  such  subjects  vary  much  in  different  countries^ 


THE  PIONEERS.  187 

said  Marmaduke ;  "  but  it  is  not  as  ornaments  that  I  value 
the  noble  trees  of  this  country;  it  is  for  their  usefulness. 
We  are  stripping  the  forests,  as  if  a  single  year  would  replace 
what  we  destroy.  But  the  hour  approaches,  when  the  laws 
will  take  notice  of  not  only  the  woods,  but  the  game  they 
contain  also." 

With  this  consoling  reflection,  Marrnadiike  remoxmted,  and  the 
equestrians  passed  the  sugar-camp,  on  their  way  to  the  promised 
landscape  of  Richard.  The  wood-chopper  was  left  alone,  in  the 
bosom  of  the  forest,  to  pursue  his  labours.  Elizabeth  turned  her 
head,  when  they  reached  the  point  where  they  were  to  descend 
the  mountain,  and  thought  that  the  slow  fires  that  were  glimmer- 
ing under  his  enormous  kettles,  his  little  brush  shelter,  covered 
with  pieces  of  hemlock  bark,  his  gigantic  size,  as  he  wielded  his 
ladle  with  a  steady  and  knowing  air,  aided  by  the  background 
of  stately  trees,  with  their  spouts  and  troughs,  formed,  alto- 
gether, no  unreal  picture  of  numan  life  in  its  first  stages  of 
civilization.  Perhaps  whatever  the  scene  possessed  of  a 
romantic  character  was  not  injured  by  the  powerful  tones  of 
Kirby's  voice  ringing  through  the  woods,  as  he  again  awoke 
his  strains  to  another  tune,  which  was  but  little  more  scien- 
tific than  the  former.  All  that  she  understood  of  the  words 
were— 

'  And  when  the  proud  forest  is  falling, 
To  my  oxen  cheerfully  calling, 
From  morn  until  night  I  am  bawling, 

Woe,  back  there,  and  hoy  and  gee ; 
Till  our  labour  is  mutually  ended, 
By  my  strength  and  cattle  befriended, 
And  against  the  musquitoes  defended, 

By  the  bark  of  the  walnut-tree. — 

"  Away  1  then,  you  lads  who  would  buy  tend, 
Choose  the  oak  that  grows  on  the  high  land, 
Or  .the  silvery  pine  on  the  dry  land, 
It  matters  but  little  to  me/* 


CHAPTER 

Speed !  Malise,  speed  I  such  cause  of  haste 

Thine  active  sinews  never  brao'd.  Ek"OTT. 

THE  roads  of  Otsego,  if  we  except  the  principal  highways,  were 
at  the  early  day  of  our  tale,  but  little  better  than  wood- paths. 
The  high  trees  that,  were  growing  on  the  very  verge  of  the 
wheel- tracks  excluded  the  sun's  rays,  unless  at  meridian,  and  the 
slowness  of  the  evaporation,  united  with  the  rich  mould  of 
vegetable  decomposition,  that  covered  the  whole  country,  to  the 
depth  of  several  inches,  occasioned  but  an  indifferent  foundation 
for  the  footing  of  travellers.  Added  to  these,  there  were  the 
inequalities  of  a  natural  surface,  and  the  constant  recurrence  of 
enormous  and  slippery  roots,  that  were  laid  bare  by  the  removal 
of  the  light  soil,  together  with  stumps  of  trees,  to  make  a 
passage  not  only  difficult  but  dangerous.  Yet  the  riders,  among 
these  numerous  obstructions,  which  were  such  as  would  terrify 
an  unpractised  eye,  gave  no  demonstrations  of  uneasiness,  a? 
their  horses  toiled  through  the  sloughs,  or  trotted  with  un- 
certain paces  along  the  dark  route.  In  many  places  the  marks 
on  the  trees  -were  the  only  indications  of  a  road,  with,  perhaps, 
an  occasional  remnant  of  a  pine,  that,  by  being  cut  close  to 
the  earth,  so  as  to  leave  nothing  visible  but  its  base  of  roots, 
spreading  for  twenty  feet  in  every  direction,  was  apparently 
placed  there  as  a  beacon,  to  warn  the  traveller  that  it  was  the 
centre  of  the  highway. 

Into  one  of  these  roads  the  active  Sheriff  led  the  way,  first 
striking  out  of  the  footpath,  by  which  they  had  descended 
from  the  sugar  -  bush,  across  a  little  bridge,  formed  of  round 
logs  laid  loosely  on  sleepers  of  pine,  in  which  large  openings, 
of  a  formidable  width,  were  frequent.  The  nag  of  Richard, 
when  it  reached  one  of  these  gaps,  laid  its  nose  along  the 
logs,  and  stepped  across  the  difficult  passage  with  the  sagacity 
of  a  man  ;  but  the  blooded  filly  "whicii  Miss  Temple  rode  dis- 
dained so  humble  a  movement.  She  made  a  step  or  two 
with  an  unusual  caution,  and  then  on  reaching  the  broadest 
opening,  obedient  to  the  curb  and  whip  of  her  fearless  mistress, 
she  bounded  across  the  dangerous  pass  with  the  activity -of  a 
squirrel. 

m 


'THE  PIONEERS.  180 

"Gently,  gently,  my  child,"  paid  Manunduke,  who  was 
following  in  the  manner  of  Richard,  "this  is  not  a  country 
for  equestrian  feats.  Much  prudence  is  requisite  to  journey 
through  our  rough  paths  with  safety.  Thou  mayst  practise 
thy  skill  in  horsemanship  on  the  plains  of  New  Jersey  with 
safety;  but  in  the  hills  of  Otsego  they  must  be  suspended  for  a  time." 

"  1  may  as  well,  then,  relinquish  my  saddle  at  once,  dear  sir," 
returned  his  daughter ;  "  for  if  it  is  to  be  laid  aside  until  this 
wild  country  be  improved,  old  age  will  overtake  me,  and  put  an 
end  to  what  you  term  my  equestrian  feats." 

"Say  not  so,  my  child,'  returned  her  father,  "but  if  thou 
venturest  again,  as  in  crossing  this  bridge,  old  age  will  never 
overtake  thee,  but  I  shall  be  left  to  mourn  thee,  cut  off  in  thy 
pride,  my  Elizabeth.  If  thou  hadst  seen  this  district  of  country, 
as  I  did,  when  it  lay  in  the  sleep  of  nature,  and  had  witnessed  its 
rapid  changes,  as  it  awoke  to  supply  the  wants  of  man,  thou 
wouldst  curb  thy  impatience  for  a  little  time,  though  thou 
shouldst  not  check  thy  steed." 

"I  recollect  hearing  you  speak  of  your  first  visit  to  these  woods, 
but  the  impression  is  faint,  and  blended  with  the  confused  images 
of  childhood.  Wild  and  unsettled  as  it  may  yet  seem,  it  must  have 
been  a  thousand  times  more  dreary  then.  Will  you  repeat,  dear 
sir,  what  you  then  thought  of  your  enterprise,  and  what  you  felt  ? " 

During  this  speech  of  Elizabeth,  which  was  uttered  with  the 
fervovr  of  affection,  young  Edwards.rode  more  closely  to  the  side 
of  the  Judge,  and  bent  his  dark  eyes  on  his  countenance  with  an 
expression  that  seemed  to  read  his  thoughts. 

"  Thou  wast  then  young,  my  child,  but  must  remember  when 
I  left  thee  and  thy  mother,  to  take  my  first  survey  of  these 
uninhabited  mountains,'4  said  Mannaduke.  "  But  thou  dost  not 
feel  all  the  secret  motives  that  can  urge  a  man  to  endure  priva-i 
tions  in  order  to  accumulate  wealth.  In  my  case  they  have  .not 
been  trifling,  and  God  has  been  pleased  to  smile  on  my  efforts. 
If  I  have  encountered  pain,  famine,  and  disease,  in  accomplishing 
the  settlement  of  this  rough  territory,  I  have  not  the  misery  of 
failure  to  add  to  the  grievances." 

"  Famine  ! "  echoecl  Elizabeth  ;  "  I  thought  this  was  the  land 
of  abundance  !  had  you  famine  to  contend  with  ?  " 

"  Even  so,  my  child,"  eaid  her  father. .  "  Those  who  look 
around  them  now,  and  see  the  loads  of  produce  that  issue  out 
of  every  wild  path  in  these  mountains,  during  the  season  of 
travelling,  will  hardly  credit  that  no  more  than  five  years 
have  elapsed,  since  the  tenants  of  these  woods  were .  compelled 
to  eat  the  scanty  fruits  of  the  forest  to  sustain  life,  and,  with 
their  unpractised  skiD,  to  hunt  the  beasts  as  food  for  their 
starving  families." 

u  Ay  1 "  cried  Richard,  who  happened  to  overhear  the  last  of 


ld(l  THE  PIONEERS. 

this  speech,  between  the  notes  of  the  wood-chopper's  son 
ho  was  endeavouring  to  breathe  aloud;  "that  was  the 
time,1  cousin  Bess.    I  grew  as  lank  as  a  weasel  that  fall,  and  my 
face  was  as  pale  as  one  of  your  fever-and-aguc  visages. 


Le  Quoi,  there,  fell  away  like  a  pumpkin  in  drying;  nor  do  I 
think  you  have  got  fairly  over  it  yet,  Monsieur.  Benjamin,  I 
thought,  bore  it  with  a  worse  grace  than  any  of  the  family  ;  for 
he  swore  it  was  harder  to  endure  than  a  short  allowance  in  the 
calm  latitudes.  Benjamin  is  a  sad  fellow  to  swear,  if  you  starve 
him  ever  so  little.  1  had  half  a  mind  to  quit  you  then,  'duke, 
and  go  into  Pennsylvania  to  fatten  ;  but,  damn  it,  thinks  I,  we 
are  sisters'  children,  and  I  will  live  or  die  with  him,  after 
all." 

"  I  do  not  forget  thy  kindness,"  said  Marmaduke,  "  nor  that 
we  are  of  one  blood." 

"But,  my  dear  father,"  cried  the  wondering  Elizabeth,  "was 
there  actual  stiffering?  where  were  the  beautiful  and  fertile 
vales  of  the  Mohawk  ?  could  they  not  furnish  food  for  your 
wants?" 

"  It  was  a  season  of  scarcity  ;  the  necessities  of  life  commanded 
a  high  price  in  Europe,  ana  were  greedily  sought  after  by  the 
speculators.  The  emigrants,  from  the  east  to  the  west,  invariably 
passed  along  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk,  and  swept  away  the 
means  of  subsistence,  like  a  swarm  of  locusts,  Nor  were  the 
people  on  the  Flats  in  a  much  better  condition.  They  were  in 
want  themselves,  but  they  spared  the  little  excess  of  provisions, 
that  nature  did  not  absolutely  require,  with  the  justice  of  the 
German  character.  There  was  no  grinding  of  the  poor.  The 
word  speculator  was  then  unknown  to  them,  I  have  seen  many 
a  stout  man  bending  under  the  load  of  the  bag  of  meal,  which 
he  was  carrying  from  the  Mills  of  the  Mohawk,  through  the 
rugged  passes  of  these  mountains,  to  feed  his  half-famished 
children,  with  a  heart  eo  light,  as  he  approached  his  hut,  that 
the  thirty  miles  he  had  passed  seemed  nothing.  Rememb8r,  rcy 
!  child,  it  was  in  our  very  infancy  ;  we  had  neithar  mills,  nor 
grain,  nor  roads,  nor  often  clearings  ;  we  had  nothing  of  increase, 
but  the  mouths  that  were  to  be  fed  ;  for,  even  at  that  inaxispicicua 
moment,  the  restless  spirit  of  emigration  was  not  idle  j  nay,  the 

1  The  author  has  no  better  apology  for  interrupting  the  interest  of  a  work  cf 
fiction  by  these  desultory  dialogues,  than  that  they  have-  reference  to  facts.  In 
reviewing  his  work,  after  so  many  years,  he  is  compelled  to  confess  it  Is  injured  by 
too  many  allusions  to  incidents  that  are  not  at  all  suited  to  satisfy  the  just  expecta- 
tions of  the  general  reader.  One  of  these  events  is  slightly  touched  on,  )4J  th« 
commencement  of  this  chapter. 

More  than  thirty  years  since,  a  very  near  and  dear  relative  of  the  writer,  an  elder 
sister  and  a  second  mother,  was  killed  by  a  fall  from  a  horse,  in  a  ride  among  tho 
very  mountains  mentioned  in  this  tale.  Few  'of  her  sex  and  years  were  more 
extensively  known,  or  more  universally  beloved,  than  the  admirable  woman  who 
thus  fell  a  victim  to  the  chances  of  the  wilderness. 


THE  PIONEERS.  191 

general  scarcity,  which  extended  to  the  east,  tended  to  increase 
the  number  of  adventurers." 

"And  how,  dearest  father,  didst  thou  encounter  this  dreadful 
evil  ? "  said  Elizabeth,  unconsciously  adopting  the  dialect  of  her 

Earent  in  the  warmth  of  her  sympathy.  "  Upon  thee  must  have 
dlen  the  responsibility,  if  not  the  suffering." 

"  It  did,  Elizabeth,"  returned  the  Judge,  pausing  for  a  single 
moment,  as  if  musing  on  his  former  feelings.  "  I  had  hundreds, 
at  that  dreadful  time,  daily  looking  up  to  me  for  bread.  The 
sufferings  of  their  families, 'and  the  gloomy  prospect  before  therc, 
had  paralysed  the  enterprise  and  efforts  of  my  settlers ;  hunger 
drove  them  to  the  woods  for  food,  but  despair  sent  them  at  nignt, 
enfeebled  and  wan,  to  a  sleepless  pillow.  It  was  not  a  moment 
for  inaction.  I  purchased  cargoes  of  wheat  from  the  granaries  of 
Pennsylvania  ;  they  were  landed  at  Albany,  and  brought  up  the 
Mohawk  in  boats  ;  from  thence  it  was  transported  on'packhorses 
into  the  wilderness,  and  distributed  among  my  people.  Seines 
were  made,  and  the  lakes  and  rivers  were  dragged  for  fish. 
Something  like  a  miracle  was  wrought  in  our  favour,  for  enormous 
shoals  of  herrings  were  discovered  to  have  wandered  five  hundred 
miles,  through  the  windings  of  the  impetuous  Susquehanna,  and 
the  lake  was  alive  with  their  numbers.  These  were  at  length 
caught,  and  dealt  out  to  the  people,  with  proper  portions  of  salt ; 
and  from  that  moment  we  again  began  to  prosper."  x 

"  Yes,"  cried  Richard,  "  and  I  was  the  man  who  served  out  the 
fish  and  the  salt.  When  the  poor  devils  came  to  receive  their 
rations,  Benjamin,  who  was  my  deputy,  was  obliged  to  keep  them 
off  by  stretching  ropes  around  me,  for  they  smelt  so  of  garlic, 
from  eating  nothing  but  the  wild  onion,  that  the  fumes  put  me 
out,  often,  in  my  measurement  You  were  a  child  then,  Bess, 
and  knew  nothing  of  the  matter,  for  great  care  was  observed  to 
keep  both  you  and  your  mother  from  suffering.  That  year  put 
me  back,  dreadfully,  both  in  the  breed  of  my  hogs  and  of  my 
turkeys." 

"No,  Bess,"  cried  the  Judge,  in  a  more  cheerful  tone,  dis- 
regarding the  interruption  of  his  cousin,  "he  who  hears  of  the 
settlement  of  a  country  knows  but  little  of  the  toil  and  suffering 
by  which  it  is  accomplished.  Unimproved  and  wild  as  this 
district  now  seems  to  your  eyes,  what  was  it  when  I  first  entered 
the  hills  1  I  left  my  party,  the  morning  of  my  arrival  near  the 
farms  of  the  Cherry  Valley,  and,  following  a  deer-path,  rode  to 
the  summit  of  the  mountain,  that  I  have  since  called  Mount 
Vision  ;  for  the  sight  that  there  met  my  eyes  seemed  to  me  as  the 
deceptions  of  a  dream.  The  fire  had  run  over  the  pinnacle,  and, 
in  a  great  measure,  lail  open  the  view.  The  leaves  were  fallen, 
and  I  mounted  a  tree,  and  sat  for  an  hour  looking  on  the  silent 

1  All  this  was  literally  tree. 


192  THE  PIONEERS. 

wilderness.  Not  an  opening  was  to  be  seen  in  the  boundless 
forest,  except  where  the  lake  lay,  like  a  mirror  of  glass.  Th  • 
water  was  covered  by  myriads  of  the  wild-fowl  that  migrate  will; 
the  changes  in  the  season  ;  and,  while  in  my  situation  on  the 
branch,  of  the  beech,  I  saw  a  bear,  with  her  cubs,  descend  to  the 
shore  to  drink.  I  had  met  many  deer,  gliding  through  the  woods, 
in  my  journey  ;  but  not  the  vestige  of  a  man  could  I  trace  during 
ray  progress,  nor  from  my  elevated  observatory.  No  clearing,  no 
hut,  none  of  the  winding  roads  that  are  now  to  be  seen,  were 
there  ;  nothing  but  mountains  rising  behind  mountains,  and  the 
valley,  with  its  surface  of  branches,  enlivened  here  and  there 
with  the  faded  foliage  of  some  tree,  that  parted  from  its  leaves 
with  more  than  ordinary  reluctance.  Even  the  Susquehanna  was 
then  hid  by  the  height  and  density  of  the  forest." 

"And  were  you  alone?"  asked  Elizabeth;  "passed  you  the 
night  in  that  solitary  state  ?" 

"Not  so,  my  child,"  returned  her  father.  "After  musing  on 
the  scene  for  an  hour,  with  a  mingled  feeling  of  pleasure  and 
desolation,  I  left  my  perch  and  descended  the  mountain.  My 
horse  was  left  to  browse  on  the  twigs  that  grew  within  his  reach, 
while  I  explored  the  shores  of  the  lake,  and  the  spot  \vhere 
Templeton  stands.  A  pine  of  more  than  ordinary  growth  stood 
where  my  dwelling  is  now  placed  !  a  wind  row  had  been  opened 
through  the  trees  from  thence  to  the  lake,  and  my  view  was  but 
little  impeded.  Under  the  branches  of  that  tree  I  made  my 
solitary  dinner  ;  I  had  just  finished  my  repast  as  I  saw  a  smoke 
curling  from  under  the  mountain  near  the  eastern  bank  of  the 
lake.  It  was  the  only  indication  of  the  vicinity  of  man  that  I 
had  then  seen.  After  much  toil  1  made  my  way  to  the  spot,  am! 
found  a  rough  cabin  of  logs,  built  against  the  foot  of  a  rock, 
and  bearing  the  marks  of  a  tenant,  though  I  found  no  one 
within  it  "— 

"It  was  the  hut  of  Leather-stocking,"  said  Edwards  quickly. 

"  It  was  ;  though  I,  at  first,  supposed  it  to  be  a  habitation  of 
the  Indians.  But  while  I  was  lingering  around  the  spot,  Natty 
made  his  appearance,  staggering  under  the  carcase  of  a  buck  that 
he  had  slain.  Our  acquaintance  commenced  at  that  time  ;  before 
I  had  never  heard  that  such  a  being  tenanted  the  woods.  Hi- 
launched  his  bark  canoe,  and  set  me  across  the  foot  of  the  lake  to 
Ihe  place  where  I  had  fastened  my  horse,  and  pointed  out  .1  spot 
where  he  might  get  a  scanty  browsing  until  the  morning ; 
when  I  returned  and  passed  the  night  in  the  cabin  of  the 
hunter  " 

Miss  Temple  was  so  much  struck  by  the  deep  attention  of 
young  Edwards  during  this  speech,  that  she  forgot  to  resume  her 
interrogatories  ;  but  the  youth  himself  continued  the  discourse, 
by  asking, — 


TEE  PIONEERS.  103 

« 

"And  how  did  the  Leather-stocking  discharge  the  dntie-  o! 
hoet,  sir  ? " 

"Why,  simply  but  kindly,  until  late  in  the  evening,  when  he 
discovered  my  name  and  object,  and  the  cordiality  of  his  manner 
very  sensibly  diminished,  or,  I  might  better  say,  disappeared. 
He  considered  the  introduction  of  the  settlers  as  an  innovation  on 
his  rights,  I  believe  ;  for  he  expressed  much  dissatisfaction  at  the 
measure,  though  it  was  in  his  confused  and  ambiguous  manner 
I  hardly  understood  his  objections  myself,  but  supposed  the} 
referred  chiefly  to  an  interruption  of  the  hunting." 

"Had  you  then  purchased  the  estate,  or  were  you  examin- 
ing it  with  an  intent  to  buy?"  asked  Edwards,  a  little 
abruptly. 

"  It  had  been  mine  for  several  years.  It  was  with  a  view  to 
people  the  land  that  I  visited  the  lake.  Natty  treated  me 
jiospitably,  but  coldly,  I  thought,  after  he  learned  the  nature  of 
my  journey.  I  slept  on  his  own  bear-skin,  however,  and  in  the 
morning  joined  iny  surveyors  a^ain." 

"Said  he  nothing  of  the  Indian  rights,  sir?  The  Leather- 
stocking  is  much  given  to  impeach  the  justice  of  the  tenure  by 
which  the  whites  hold,  the  country." 

"I  remember  that  he  spoke  of  them,  but  I  did  not  clearly 
comprehend  him,  and  may  have  forgotten  what  he  said  ;  for  the 
Indian  title  was  extinguished  so  far  back  as  the  close  of  the  old 
var  ;  and  if  it  had  not  been  at  all,  I  hold  iinder  the  patents  of 
the  Royal  Governors,  confirmed  by  an  act  of  our  own  State 
Legislature,  and  no  court  in  the  country  can  affect  my 
title." 

"  Doubtless,  sir,  your  title  is  both  legal  and  equitable,"  returned 
the  youth  coldly,  reining  his  horse  back,  and  remaining  silent 
till  the  subject  was  changed. 

It  was  seldom  Mr.  Jones  suffered  any  conversation  to  continue, 
for  a  gre^.t  length  of  time,  without  his  participation.  It  seems 
that  he  was  of  the  party  that  Judge  Temple  had  designated  as 
his  surveyors ;  and  he  embraced  the  opportunity  of  the  pause 
that  succeeded  the  retreat  of  young  Edwards  to  take  up  the 
discourse,  and  with  it  a  narration  of  their  further  proceedings 
after  his  own  manner.  As  it  wanted,  however,  the  interest  that 
had  accompanied  the  description  of  the  Judge,  we  nuist  decline 
the  task  of  committing  his  sentences  to  paper. 

They  soon  reached  the  point  where  the  promised  view  was  to 
be  seen.  It  was  one  of  those  picturesque  and  peculiar  scenes  that 
belong  to  the  Otsego,  but  which  required  th«  absence  of  the  ice, 
and  the  softness  of  a  summer's  landscape,  to  be  enjoyed  in  all  ite 
beauty. .  Marmaduke  had  early  forewarned  his  daughter  of  the 
season,  and  of  its  effect  on  the  prospect ;  and  after  casting  a 
cursory  glance  at  its  capabilities,  the  party  returned  homeward, 


194  THE  PIONEERS. 

perfectly  satisfied  that  its  beauties  would  repay  them  for  the  toil 
of  a  second  ride,  at  a  more  propitious  season. 

"  The  spring  is  the  gloomy  time  of  the  American  year,"  said 
the  Judge ;  "and  it  is  more  peculiarly  the  case  in  these  moun- 
tains. The  winter  seems  to  retreat  to  the  fastnesses  of  the  hills, 
ns  to  the  citadel  of  its  dominion,  and  is  only  expelled  after  a 
tedious  siege,  in  which  either  party,  at  times,  would  seem  to  be 
gaining  the  victory." 

"  A  very  just  and  apposite  figure,  Judge  Temple,"  observed  the 
Sheriff;  "and  the  garrison  under  the  command -of  Jack  Frost 
make  formidable  sorties — you  understand  what  I  mean  by  sorties, 
Monsieur ;  sallies  in  English — and  sometimes  drive  General 
Spring  and  his  troops  back  again  into  the  low  countries." 

"  Yes,  sair,"  returned  the  Frenchman,  whose  prominent  eyes 
were  watching  the  precarious  footsteps  of  the  beast  he  rode,  as  it 
picked  its  dangerous  way  among  the  roots  of  trees,  holes,  log- 
bridges,  and  sloughs  that  formed  the  aggregate  of  the  highway. 
"  Je  vous  entend ;  de  low  countrie  is  freeze  up  for  half  de 
year." 

The  error  of  Mr.  Le  Quoi  was  not  noticed  by  the  Sheriff ;  and 
the  rest  of  the  party  were  yielding  to  the  influence  of  the 
changeful  season,  which  was  already  teaching  the  equestrians 
that  a  continuance  of  its  mildness  was  not  to  be  expected  for  any 
length  of  time.  Silence  and  thoughtfulness  succeeded  the  gaiety 
and  conversation  that  had  prevailed  during  the  commencement 
of  the  ride,  as  clouds  began  to  gather  about  the  heavens,  apparently 
collecting  from  every  quarter,  in  quick  motion,  without  the 
agency  of  a  breath  of  air. 

While  riding  over  one  of  the  cleared  eminences  that  occurred  in 
their  route,  the  watchful  eye  of  Judge  Temple  pointed  out  to  his 
daughter  the  approach  of  a  tempest.  Flurries  of  snow  already 
obscured  the  mountain  that  formed  the  northern  boundary  oi  the 
lake,  and  the  genial  sensation  which  had  quickened  the  blood 
through  their  veins,  was  already  succeeded  by  the  deadening 
influence  of  an  approaching  north-wester. 

All  of  the  party  were  now  busily  engaged  in  making  the  best 
of  their  way  to  the  village,  though  the  badness  of  the  roads 
frequently  compelled  them  to  check  the  impatience  of  their 
animals,  which  often  carried  them  over  places  that  would  not 
admit  of  any  gait  faster  than  a  walk. 

Richard  continued  in  advance,  followed  by  Mr.  Le  Quoi ;  next 
to  whom  rode  Elizabeth,  who  seemed  to  have  imbibed  the 
distance  which  pervaded  the  manner  of  young  Edwards,  since  the 
termination  of  the  discourse  between  tne  latter  and  her  father. 
Marmaduke  followed  his  daughter,  giving  her  frequent  and 
tender  warnings  as  to  the  management  of  her  horse.  It  was, 
possibly,  the  evident  dependence  that  Louisa  Grant  placed  on  his 


THE  PIONEERS.  105 

Assistance,  which  induced  the  youth  to  continue  by  her  side,  as 
they  pursued  their  way  through  a  dreary  and  dark  wood,  where 
the  rays  of  the  sun  could  but  rarely  penetrate,  and  where  even 
the  daylight  was  obscured  and  rendered  gloomy  by  the  deep 
forests  that  surrounded  them.  No  wind  had  yet  reached  the  spot 
where  the  equestrians  were  in  motion,  but  that  dead  stillness  that 
often  precedes  a  et~rm,  contributed  to  render  their  situation  more 
irksome  than  if  they  were  already  subject  to  the  fury  of  the 
tempest.  Suddenly  the  voice  of  young  Edwards  was  heard 
shouting,  in  those  appalling  tones  that  carry  alarm  to  the  very 
soul,  and  which  curdle  the  blood  of  those  that  hear  them, — 

4t  A  tree !  a  tree !  whip — spur  for  your  lives  I  a  tree  !  a 
treel" 

"  A  tree  I  a  tree  ! "  echoed  Richard,  giving  his  horse  a  blow 
that  caused  the  alarmed  beast  to  jump  nearly  a  rod,  throwing  the 
mud  and  water  into  the  air,  like  a  hurricane. 

"  Von  tree  !  von  tree  ! "  shouted  the  Frenchman,  bending  his 
body  on  the  neck  of  his  charger,  shutting  his  eyes,  and  playing 
on  the  ribs  of  his  beast  with  his  heels,  at  a  rate  that  caused  him 
to  b«  conveyed  on  the  crupper  of  the  Sheriff,  with  a  marvellous 
speed. 

Elizabeth  checked  her  filly,  and  looked  up,  with  an  unconscious 
but  alarmed  air,  at  the  very  cause  of  their  danger,  while  she 
listened  to  the  crackling  sounds  that  awoke  the  stillness  of  the 
forest ;  but,  the  next  instant,  her  bridle  was  seized  by  her  father, 
who  cried, — 

"  God  protect  my  child  1 "  and  she  felt  herself  hurried  onward, 
Impelled  by  the  vigour  of  his  nervous  arm. 

Each  one  of  the  party  bowed  to  their  saddle-bows,  as  the  tear- 
ing of  branches  was  succeeded  by  a  sound  like  the  rushing  of  the 
winds,  which  was  followed  by  a  thundering  report,  and  a  shock 
that  earned  the  very  earth  to  tremble,  as  one  of  the  noblest  ruins 
of  the  forest  fell  directly  across  their  path. 

Ono  glance  was  enough  to  assure  Judge  Temple  that  fcis 
daughter  and  those  in  front  of  him  were  safe,  and  he  turned 
his  eyes  in  dreadful  anxiety  to  learn  the  fate  of  the  others. 
Young  Edwards  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  tree,  his  form 
thrown  back  in  his  saddle  to  its  utmost  distance,  his  left  hand 
drawing  up  his  bridle  with  its  greatest  force,  while  the  right 
giasped  that  of  Miss  Grant,  eo  as  to  draw  the  head  of  her  horse 
under  its  body.  Both  th )  animals  stood  shaking  in  every  joint 
with  terror,  and  snorting  fearfully.  Louisa  herself  had  relin- 
quished her  reins,  and  with  her  hands  pressed  en  her  face  sat 
tending  forward  in  her  saddle,  in  an  attitude  of  despair,  mingled 
Jtrangely  with  resignation 

"Are  you  safe?"  cried  the  Judge,  first  breaking  the  awful 
iJer.ce  of  the  moment 


iy«  THE  PWNEEtiX. 

"  By  God's  blessing,"  returned  the  youth  ;  "  but  if  there  had 
been  branches  to  the  tree  we  must  have  been  lost " — 

He  was  interrupted  by  the  figure  of  Louisa,  slowly  yielding  in 
her  saddle ;  and  but  for  his  arm,  she  would  have  sunk  to  the 
earth.  Terror,  however,  was  the  only  injury  that  the  clergyman's 
daughter  had  sustained,  and  with  the  aid  of  Elizabeth,  she  was 
soou  restored  to  her  senses.  After  some  little  time  was  lost  in 
recovering  her  strength,  the  young  lady  was  replaced  in  her 
saddle,  and  supported  on  either  side  by  Judge  Temple  and  Mr. 
Edwards,  she  was  enabled  to  follow  the  party  in  their  slow 
progress. 

"The  sudden  falling  of  the  trees,"  said  Marmaduke,  "are  the; 
most  dangerous  accidents  in  the  forest,  for  they  are  not  to  bij 
foreseen,  being  impelled  by  no  winds,  nor  any  extraneous  or 
visible  cause,  against  which  we  can  guard. '' 

"The  reason  of  their  falling,  Judge  Temple,  is  very  obvious," 
said  the  Sheriff.  "The  tree  is  old  and  decayed,  and  it  is 
gradually  weakened  by  the  frosts,  until  a  line  drawn  from  the 
centre  of  gravity  falls  without  its  base,  and  then  the  tree  comes 
of  a  certainty  ;  and  I  should  like  to  know,  what  greater  compulsion 
there  can  be  for  anything,  than  a  mathematical  certainty.  I 
studied  mathe" — 

"  Very  true,  Richard,"  interrupted  Marmaduke  ;  "  thy  reason- 
ing is  true,  and  if  my  memory  be  not  over  treacherous,  was 
furnished  by  myself  on  a  former  occasion.  But  how  is  one  to 
guard  against  tlie  danger  ?  canst  thou  go  through  the  forests 
measuring  the  bases,  and  calculating  the  centres  of  the  oaks? 
answer  me  that,  friend  Jones,  and  I  will,  say  thou  wilt  do  the 
country  a  service." 

"Answer  thee  that,  friend  Temple  1"  returned  Richard;  "a 
well-educated  man  can  answer  thee  anything,  sir.  Do  any 
trees  fall  in  this  manner,  but  such  as  are  decayed?  Take  care 
not  to  approach  the  roots  of  a  rotten  tree,  and  you  will  be  safe 
enough." 

"  That  would  be  excluding  us  entirely  from  the  forests,"  said 
Marmaduke.  "  But,  happily,  the  winds  usually  force  down  most 
of  these  dangerous  ruins,  as  their  currents  are  admitted  into  the 
woods  by  the  surrounding  clearings,  and  such  a  fall  as  this  has 
been  is  very  rare." 

Louisa,  by  this  time,  had  recovered  so  much  sticngth  as  to 
allow  the  party  to  proceed  at  a  quicker  pace  ;  but  long  before 
they  were  safely  housed,  they  were  overtaken  by  the  storm  ; 
and  when  they  dismounted  at  the  door  of  the  Mansion-house,  the 
black  plumes  of  Miss  Temple's  hat  were  drooping  with  the  weight 
of  a  load  of  damp  snow,  and  the  coats  of  the  gentlemen  wera 
powdered  with  the  same  material. 

While   Edwards    was   assisting  Louisa  from  her  horse,  the. 


THE  PIONEERS.  197 

-  hearted  girl  caught  his  hand  with  fervour,  and 
whispered, — 

"  Now,  Mr.  Edwards,  both  father  and  daughter  owe  their  lives 
to  you." 

A  driving,  north-westerly  storm  succeeded  ;  and  before  the 
sun  was  set,  every  vestige  or  spring  had  vanished  ;  the  lake,  the 
mountains,  the  village,  and  the  fields,  being  again  hid  under  one 
dazzling  coat  of  snow. 


vjHAPTEK   XXII. 

Jdenv  boys,  and  girls, 

Desert  th1  unpeopled  village  ;  and  wild  crowds 
Spread  o'er  the  plain,  by  the  sweet  frenzy  driven. 


FEOM  this  time  to  tlie  close  of  April,  the  weather  continued  to  be 
a  succession  of  great  and  ramd  changes.  One  day,  the  soft  airs 
of  spring  seemed  to  be  stealing  along  the  valley,  and  in  unison 
with  an  invigorating  sun,  attempting,  covertly,  to  rouse  the 
dormant  powers  of  the  vegetable  world  ;  while  on  the  next,  the 
surly  blasts  from  the  north  would  sweep  across  the  lake,  and 
erase  every  impression  left  by  their  gentle  adversaries.  The 
enow,  however,  finally  disappeared,  and  the  green  wheat-fields 
were  seen  in  every  direction,  spotted  with  the  dark  and  charred 
stumps  that  had,  the  preceding  season,  supported  some  of  the 
proudest  trees  of  the  forest  Ploughs  were  in  motion,  wherever 
those  useful  implements  could  be  used,  and  the  smokes  of  the 
sugar-camps  were  no  longer  seen  issuing  from  ihe  woods  of  maple. 
The  lake  had  lost  the  beauty  of  a  field  of  ice,  but  still  a  dark  and 
gloomy  covering  concealed  its  waters,  for  the  absence  of  currents 
left  them  yet  hid  under  a  porous  crust,  "which,  saturated  with 
the  fluid,  barely  retained  enough  strength  to  preserve  the  con- 
tiguity of  its  parts.  Large  flocks  of  wild  geese  were  eeen  passing 
over  the  country,  which  hoveled  for  a  time,  around  the  hidden 
sheet  of  water,  apparently  searching  for  a  resting-place  j  and  then, 
on  finding  themselves  excluded  Jjy  the  chill  covering,  would  soar 
away  to  the  north,  filling  the  air  with  discordant  ecreams,  as  if 
venting  their  complaints  at  the  tardy  operations  of  nature. 

For  a  week  the  dark  covering  of  the  Otsego  was  left  to  the 
undisturbed  possession  of  two  eagles,  who  alignted  on  the  centre 
of  its  field,  and  sat  eyeing  their  undisputed  territory.  During 
the  presence  of  these  nionarchs  of  the  air,  the  flocks  of  migrating 
birds  avoided  crossing  the  plain  of  ice,  by  turning  into  the  hills, 
apparently  seeking  the  protection  of  the  forests,  while  the  white 
and  bald  heads  of  the  tenants  of  the  lake  were  turned  upward, 
with  a  look  of  contempt.  But  the  time  had  come,  when  even 
these  kings  of  birds  were  to  be  dispossessed.  An  opening  had 
been  gradually  increasing  at  the  lower  extremity  of  the  lake  and 

108 


THE  PIONEERS.  19'J 

around  the  dark  spot  -where  the  current  of  the  river  prevented 
the  formation  of  ice,  during  even  the  coldest  weather  ;  and  tho 
fresh  southerly  winds,  that  now  breathed  freely  upon  the  valley, 
made  an  impression  on  the  waters.  Mimic  waves  began  to  curl 
over  the  margin  of  the  frozen  field,  which  exhibited  an  outline  of 
crystallizations,  that  slowly  receded  towards  the  north.  At  each 
etep  the  power  of  the  winds  and  the  waves  increased,  until,  after 
a  struggle  of  a  few  hours,  the  turbulent  little  billows  succeeded 
in  setting  the  whole  field  in  motion,  when  it  was  driven  beyond 
the  reach  of  the  eye,  with  a  rapidity  that  was  as  magical  as  the 
change  produced  in  the  scene  by  this  expulsion  of  the  lingering 
remnant  of  winter.  Just  as  the  last 'sheet  of  agitated  ico  was  dis- 
appearing in  the  distance,  the  eagles  rose,  and  soared  with  a  wide 
sweep  above  the  clouds,  while  the  waves  tossed  their  little  caps  of 
tnow  into  the  air,  as  if  rioting  in  their  release  from  a  thraldom  of 
five  months'  duration. 

The  following  morning  Elizabeth  was  awakened  by  the  ex- 
hilarating sounds  of  the  martins,  who  were  quarrelling  and 
chattering  around  the  litcle  boxes  suspended  above  her  windows, 
and  the  cries  of  Richard,  who  was  calling  in  tones  animating  as 
the  signs  of  the  season  itself, — 

"  Awake  !  awake !  my  fair  lady  !  the  gulls  are  hovering  over 
the  lake  already,  and  the  heavens  are  alive  with  pigeons.  You 
may  look  an  hour  before  you  can  find  a  hole  through  which  "to 
get  a  peep  at  the  sun.  Awake  1  awake !  lazy  ones  1  Benjamin 
is  overhauling  the  ammunition,  and  we  only  wait  for  our  break- 
fasts,  and  away  for  the  mountains  and  pigeon-shooting." 

There  was  no  resisting  this  animated  appeal,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  Miss  Temple  and  her  friend  descended  to  the  parlour. 
The  doors  of  the  hall  were  thrown  open,  and  the  mild,  balmy  air 
of  a  clear  spring  morning  was  ventilating  the  apartment,  where  the 
vigilance  of  the  ex-steward  had  been  so  long  maintaining  an 
artificial  heat  with  such  unremitted  diligence.  The  gentlemen 
were  impatiently  waiting  for  their  mornings  repast,  each  equipped 
in  the  garb  of  a  sportsman,  Mr.  Jones  made  many  visits  to  the 
southern  door,  and  would  cry, — 

"  See,  cousin  Bess  !  see,  'duke,  the  pigeon-roosts  of  the  south 
have  broken  up !  They  are  growing  more  thick  every  instant. 
Here  is  a  flock  that  the  eye  cannot  see  the  end  of.  There 
is  food  enough  in  it  to  keep  the  army  of  Xerxes  for  a  month, 
and  feathers  enough  to  make  beds  for  the  whole  country. 
Xerxes,  Mr.  Edwards,  was  a  Grecian  king,  who — no,  he  was  a 
Turk,  or  a  Persian,  who  wanted  to  conquer  Greece,  just  the  same 
as  these  rascals  will  overrun  our  wheat-fields,  when  they  come 
back  in  the  fall.  Away !  away  1  Bess  ;  I  long  to  pepper  them," 

In  this  wish  both  Mannaduke  and  young  Edwards  seemed 
equally  to  participate,  for  the  sight  was  exhilarating  to  a  eporta-, 


300  THE  PIONEERS* 

man ;  and  the  ladies  soon  dismissed  the  party,  after  a  hasty 
brtakfast. 

If  the  heavens  ware  alive  with  pigeons,  the  whole  villag* 
eeemed  equally  in  motion,  with  men,  women,  and  children. 
Every  species  of  fire-arms,  from  the  French  ducking-gun,  with  a 
barrel  near  six  feet  in  length,  to  the  common  horseman's  pistol, 
was  to  be  seen  in  the  hands  of  the  men  and  boye ;  while  bpwa 
and  arrows,  some  made  of  the  simple  stick  of  a  walnut  sapling, 
and  others  in  a  rude  imitation  of  the  ancient  cross-bows,  were 
carried  by  many  of  the  latter. 

The  houses  and  the  signs  of  life  apparent  ia  the  village,  drove 
the  alarmed  birds  from  the  direct  line  of  their  flight,  towards 
the  mountains,  along  the  sides  and  near  the  bases  of  which  they 
were  glancing  in  dense  masses,  equally  wonderful  by  the  rapidity 
of  their  motion,  and  their  incredib'le  numbers. 

We  have  already  said,  that  across  the  inclined  plane  which 
fell  from  the  steep  ascent  of  the  mountain  to  the  banks  of  the 
Susquehanna,  ran  the  highway,  on  either  side  of  which  a  clear- 
ing of  many  acres  had  been  made  at  a  very  early  day.  Over 
those  clearings,  and  up  the  eastern  mountain,  and  along  the 
dangerous  path  that  was  cut  into  its  side,  the  different  indi- 
viduals posted  themselves,  and  in  a  few  moments  the  attack 
commenced. 

Among  the  sportsmen  was  the  tall,  gaunt  form  of  Leather- 
stocking,  walking  over  the  field,  with  his  rifle  hanging  on  his 
arm,  his  dogs  at  nis  heels ;  the  latter  uow  scenting  the  dead  or 
wounded  birds,  that  were  beginning  to  tumble  from  the  flocks, 
and  then  crouching  under  the  legs  of  their  master,  as  if  they 
participated  in  his  feelings  at  this  wasteful  and  unsportsmanlike 
execution. 

The  reports  of  the  fire-arms  became  rapid,  whole  volleys  rising 
t'rom  the  plain,  as  flocks  of  more  than  ordinary  numbers  darted 
over  the  opening,  shadowing  the  field  like  a  cloud  ;  and  then 
the  light  smoke  of  a  single  piece  would  issue  from  among  the 
leafless  bushes  on  the  mountain,  as  death  was  hurled  on  the 
retreat  of  the  affrighted  birds,  who  were  rising  from  a  volley,  in 
a  vain  effort  to  escape.  Arrows  and  missiles  of  every  kind  were 
in  the  midst  of  the  flocks  ;  and  so  numerous  were  the  birds,  and 
so  low  did  they  take  their  flight,  that  even  long  poles,  in  the 
hands  of  those  on  the  sides  of  the  mountain,  were  used  to  strike 
them  to  the  earth. 

During  all  this  time,  Mr.  Jones,  who  disdained  the  humble 
and  ordinary  means  of  destruction  used  by  his  companions,  was 
busily  occupied,  aided  by  Benjamin,  in  making  arrangements  for 
an  assault  of  a  more  than  ordinarily  fatal  character.  Among  the 
relics  of  the  old  military  excursions,  that  occasionally  are  dis- 
covered throughout  the  different  districts  of  the  western  gart  of 


THE  PIONEERS. 

New  Jfork,  there  hnd  been  found  in  Templelon,  at  its  pettlement, 
a  small  6\rivel,  which  would  cany  a  ball  of  a  pound  weight.  It 
was  thought  to  have  been  deserted  by  a  war-party  of  the  whites, 
in  on«  of  their  inroads  into  the  Indian  settlements,  when,  per- 
haps, convenience  or  their  necessity  induced  them  to  leave  such 
an  incu«il>rance  behind  them  in  the  wood?.  This  miniature 
cannon  had  been  released  from  the  rust,  and  being  mounted  on 
little  wheels,  was  now  in  a  state  for  actual  service.  For  several 
years  it  was  the  sole  organ  for  extraordinary  rejoicings  used  in 
those  mountains.  On  the  mornings  of  the  Fourths  of  July,  it 
would  be  heard  ringing  among  the  hills,  and  even  Captain 
Hollister,  who  was  the  highest  authority  in  that  part  of  the 
country  on  nil  such  occasions,  affirmed  that,  considering  its 
dimensions,  it  was  no  despicable  gun  for  a  salute.  It  was  some- 
what the  worse  for  the  service  it  had  performed,  it  is  true,  there 
being  but  a  trifling  difference  in  size  between  the  touch-hole  and 
the  muzzle.  Still,  the  grand  conceptions  of  Richard  had  sug- 
gested the  importance  of  such  an  instrument  in  hurling  death  at 
his  nimble  enemies.  The  swivel  was  dragged  by  horse  into  a 
part  of  the  open  space,  that  the  Sheriff  thought  most  eligible  for 
planting  a  battery  of  the  kind,  and  Mr.  Pump  proceeded  to  load 
it.  Several  handfnls  of  duck-shot  were  placed  on  top  of  the 
powder,  and  the  major-domo  announced  that  his  piece  was  ready 
for  service. 

The  sight  of  such  an  implement  collected  all  the  idle  specta- 
tors to  the  spot,  who,  being  mostly  boys,  Billed  the  air  with  cries 
of  exultation  and  delight.  The  gun  was  pointed  high,  and 
Richard,  holding  a  coal  of  fire  in  a  pair  of  tongs,  patiently  took 
his  seat  on  a  stump,  awaiting  the  appearance  of  a  flock  worthy  of 
his  notice. 

So  prodigious  was  the  number  of  the  birds,  that  the  scattering 
fire  of  the  guns,  with  the  hurling  of  missiles,  and  the  cries  of  the 
boys,  had  no  other  effect  than  to  break  off  small  flocks  from  the 
immense  masses  that  continued  to  dart  along  the  valley,  as  it  the 
whole  of  the  feathered  tribe  were  pouring  through  that  ona  pass. 
None  pretended  to  collect  the  game,  which  lay  scattered  orer  the 
fields  in  such  profusion  as  to  cover  the  very  ground  with  the 
fluttering  victims. 

Leather-stocking  was  a  filent  but  uneasy  spectator  of  all 
these  proceedings,  but  was  able  to  keep  hia  sentiments  to 
himself  until  he  saw  the  introduction  of  the  swivel  mto  the 
sports. 

"This  comes  of  settling  a  country  I"  he  said  :— "here  have  T 
known  the  pigeons  to  fly  for  forty  long  years,  and,  till  you  made 
your  clearings,  there  was  nobody  to  akear  or  to  hurt  them.  I 
loved  to  see  them  come  into  the  woods,  for  they  were  company 
to  a  body ;  hurting  nothing ;  being,  as  it  was,  as  harmless  as  a 


THE  PIONS&&&. 

gart«r-snake.  But  now  it  gives  me  sore  thoughts  when  I  hear 
the  frighty  things  whizzing  through  the  air,  for  I  know  it's  only 
a  motion  to  bring  out  all  the  brats  in  the  village.  Well !  the 
Lord  won't  see  the  waste  of  His  creaters  for  nothing,  and  right  will 
be  done  to  the  pigeons,  as  well  as  others,  by  and  by.  There's 
Mr.  Oliver,  as  bad  as  the  rest  of  them,  firing  into  the  flocks,  as  if 
he  was  shooting  down  nothing  but  Mingo  warriors. 

Among  the  sportsmen  was  Billy  Kirby,  who,  armed  with  an 
old  musket,  was  loading,  and  without  even  looking  into  the  air, 
was  firing  and  shouting  as  his  victims  fell  even  on  his  own 
person.  He  heard  the  speech  of  Natty,  and  took  upon  himself 
to  reply,— 

"  what  1  old  Leather-stocking,"  he  cried,  " grumbling  at  the 
loss  of  a  few  pigeons  I  If  you  had  to  sow  your  wheat  twice,  and 
three  times,  as  I  have  done,  you  wouldn't  be  BO  massyfully  feel- 
ingM  towards  the  divils. — Hurrah,  boys !  scatter  the  feathers  I 
This  is  better  than  shooting  at  a  turkey's  head  and  neck,  old 
fellow.? 

"  It's  -better  for  you,  maybe,  Billy  Kirby,"  replied  the  indig- 
nant old  hunter,  "  and  all  them  that  don't  know  how  to  put  a 
ball  down  a  rifle  barrel,  or  how  to  bring  it  up  again  with  a  true 
aim ;  but  it's  wicked  to  be  shooting  into  flocks  in  this  wasty 
manner  ;  and  none  do  it,  who  know  now  to  knock  over  a  single 
bird.  If  a  body  has  a  craving  for  pigeon's  flesh,  why  1  if  s  made 
the  same  as  all  other  creaters,  for  man's  eating  ;  but  not  to  kill 
twenty  and  eat  one.  When  I  want  such  a  thing  I  go  into  the 
woods  till  I  find  one  to  my  liking,  and  then  I  shoot  him  off  the 
branches,  without  touching  a  feather  of  another,  though  there 
might  be  a  hundred  on  the  same  tree.  You  couldn't  do  such  a 
thing,  Billy  Kirby — you  couldn't  do  it,  if  you  tried." 

"  What's  that,  old  corn -stalk  !  you  sapless  stub  1 "  cried  the 
wood-chopper.  "You've  grown  wordy,  since  the  affair  of  the 
turkey ;  but  if  you're  for  a  single  shot,  here  goes  at  that  bird 
which  comes  on  by  himself." 

The  fire  from  the  distant  part  of  the  field  had  driven  a  single 
pigeon  below  the  flock  to  which  it  belonged,  and  frightened 
with  the  constant  reports  of  the  muskets,  it  was  approaching  the 
spot  whore  the  disputants  stood,  darting  first  from  one  side,  and 
then  to  the  other,  cutting  the  air  with  the  swiftness  of  lightning, 
and  making  a  noise  with  its  wings,  not  unlike  the  rushing  of  a 
bullet.  Unfortunately  for  the  wood  -  chopper,  notwithstanding 
his  vaunt,  he  did  not  see  this  bird  until  it  was  too  late  to  fire  as 
it  approached,  and  he  pulled  his  trigger  at  the  unlucky  moment 
when  it  was  darting  immediately  over  his  head.  The  bird  con- 
tinued its  course  with  the  usual  velocity 

Natty  lowered  the  rifle  from  his  arm,  when  the  challenge  was 
jnade,  and  waiting  a  moment,  until  the  terrified  victim  had  got 


TflIE  PIONEERS.  '  203 

iiTa  line  with  his  eye,  and  had  dropped  near  the  bank  of  the  lake, 
he  raised  it  again  with  uncommon  rapidity,  and  fired.  It  might 
have  been  chance,  or  it  might  have  been  skill,  that  produced  the 
result ;  it  was  probably  a  union  of  both  ;  but  the  pigeon  whirled 
over  in  the  air,  and  fell  into  the  lake,  with  a  broken  wing.  At 
the  sound  of  his  rifle,  both,  his  does  started  from  his  feet, 
and  in  a  few  minutes  the  "slut"  brought  out  the  bird,  still  alive. 

The  wonderful  exploit  of  Leather-stocking  was  noised  through 
the  field  with  great  rapidity,  and  the  sportsmen  gathered  in,  to 
learn  the  truth  of  the  report. 

"What!"  said  young  Edwards,  "have  you  really  killed  a 
pigeon  on  the  wing,  Natty,  with  a  single  ball?" 

"Haven't  I  killed  loons  before  uow,  lad,  that  dive  at  the 
flash?"  returned  the  hunter.  '  "It's  much  better  to  kill  only 
such  as  you  want,  without  wasting  your  powder  and  lead,  than 
to  be  firing  into  God's  creaters  in  this  wicked  manner.  But  I 
come  out  for  a  bird,  and  you  know  the  reason  why  I  like  email 
game,  Mr.  Oliver,  and  now  I  have  got  one  I  will  go  home,  for  I 
don't  relish  to  see  these  wasty  ways  that  yo-i  are  all  practyeing, 
as  if  the. least  thing  wasn't  made  for  use,  and  not  to  destroy." 

"  Thou  sayest  well,  Leather  -  stocking,"  cried  Marmaduke, 
"  and  I  begin  to  think  it  time  to  put  an  end  to  this  work  of 
destruction." 

"  Put  an  ind,  Judge,  to  your  clearings.  Ain't  the  woods  his 
work  as  well  as  the  pigeons  ?  Use,  but  don't  waste.  Wasn't  the 
woods  made  for  the  beasts  and  birds  to  harbour  in?  and  when 
man  wanted  their  flesh,  their  skins,  or  their  feathers,  there's  tho 
p^lace  to  seek  them.  But  I'll  go  to  the  hut  with  my  own  game, 
ior  I  wouldn't  touch  one  of  the  harmless  things  that  cover  the 
ground  here,  looking  up  with  their  eyes  on  me,  as  if  they  only 
wanted  tongues  to  say  their  thoughts." 

With  this  sentiment  in  his  mouth,  Leather-stocking  threw  his 
rifle  over  his  arm,  and  followed  by  his  dogs,  stepped  across  the 
clearing  with  great  caution,  taking  care  not  to  tread  on  one  of 
the  wounded  birds  in  his  path.  He  soon  entered  the  bushes  on 
the  margin  of  the  lake,  and  was  hid  from  view. 

Whatever  impression  the  morality  of  Natty  made  on  the 
Judge,  it  was  utterly  lost  on  Richard.  He  availed  himself  of 
the  gathering  of  the  sportsmen,  to  lay  a  plan  for  one  "fell 
swoop"  of  destruction.  The  musket-men  were  drawn  up  in 
"battle  array,  in  a  line  extending  on  each  side  of  his  artillery, 
with  orders  to  await  the  signal  of  firing  from  himself. 

"Stand  by,  my  lads,"  said  Benjamin,  who  acted  as  an  aide-de- 
camp on  this  occasion,  "  stand  by,  my  hearties,  and  when  Squire 
Dickens  heaves  out  the  signal  to  bepin  firing,  d'ye  see,  you  may 
open  upon  them  in  a  broadside.  Take  care  and  fire  low,  boys, 
and  you'll  be  sure  to  hull  the  flock." 


THE  PIONEERS. 

"  Fire  low  1 "  shouted  Kirby :— "  hear  the  old  fool  I  If  we  fire 
low,  we  may  hit  the  stumps,  but  not  ruffle  a  pigeon.*1 

"  How  should  you  know,  you  lubber  ? "  cried  Benjamin,  with 
a  very  unbecoming  heat  for  an  officer  on  the  eve  of  battle — "  how 
should  you  know,  you  grampus  ?  Haven't  I  sailed  aboard  of  the 
Boadishy  for  five  years  ?  and  wasn't  it  a  standing  order  to  fire 
low,  ana  to  hull  your  enemy  ?  Keep  silence  at  your  guns,  boys," 
and  mind  the  order  that  is  passed." 

The  loud  laughs  of  the  musket- men  were  silenced  by  the  more 
authoritative  voice  of  Richard,  who  called  for  attention  and 
obedience  to  his  signals. 

Some  millions  of  pigeons  were  supposed  to  have  already  passed, 
that  morning,  over  the  valley  of  Templeton ;  but  nothing  like 
the  flock  that  was  now  approaching  had  been  seen  before.  It 
extended  from  mountain  to  mountain  in  one  solid  blue  mass,  and 
the  eye  looked  in  vain  over  the  southern  hills  to  find  its  termina- 
tion. The  front  of  this  living  column  was  distinctly  marked  by 
a  line  but  very  slightly  indented,  so  regular  and  even  was  the 
flight.'  Even  Marmaduke  forgot  the  morality  of  Leather-stocking 
as  it  approached,  and,  in  common  with  the  rest,  brought  his 
musket  to  a  poise. 

"Fire  1"  cried  the  Sheriff,  clapping  a  coal  to  the  priming  of 
the  cannon.  As  half  of  Benjamin  s  charge  escaped  through  the 
touch-hole,  the  whole  volley  of  the  musketry  preceded  the 
report  of  the  swivel.  On  receiving  this  united^  discharge  of 
small  arms,  the  front  of  the  flock  darted  upward,  while  at  the 
same  instant,  myriads  of  those  in  the  rear  rushed  with  amazing 
rapidity  into  their  places,  so  that  when  the  column  of  white 
smoke  gushed  from  the  mouth  of  the  little  cannon,  an  accumu- 
lated mass  of  objects  was  gliding  over  its  point  of  direction. — 
The  roar  of  the  gnu  echoed  along  tbe  mountains,  and  died  away 
to  the  north,  like  distant  thunder,  while  the  whole  flock  of 
alarmed  birds  seemed  for  a  moment  thrown  into  one  disorderly 
and  agitated  mass.  The  air  was  filled  with  their  irregular 
flight,  layer  rising  above  layer,  far  above  the  tops  of  the  highest 
pines,  none  daring  to  advance  beyond  the  dangerous  pass  ; 
when  suddenly  some  of  the  leaders  of  the  feathered  tribe 
shot  across  the  valley,  taking  their  flight  directly  over  the 
village,  and  hundreds  of  thousands  in  their  rear  followed  the 
example,  deserting  the  eastern  side  of  the  plain  to  their  perse- 
cutors and  the  slain. 

"  Victory  1 "  shouted  Richard,  "  victory  1  we  hav«  driven  th« 
enemy  from  the  field.* 

"Not  so,  Dickon,"  said  Marmaduke:  "the  field  is  covered 
with  them  ;  and,  like  the  Leather- stocking,  I  see  nothing*  but 
eyes  in  every  direction,  as  the  innocent  sufferers  turn  their 
Urror.  Full  one-half  of  thow  that  or*  fallaa  M* 


THE  PIONEERS.  *05 

ret  alive ;  and  I  think  it  is  time  to  end  the  sport,  if  sport 

"  Sport ! "  cried  the  Sheriff ;  "  it  is  princely  sport  I  There  are 
some  thousands  of  the  blue-coated  boys  on  the  ground,  so  that 
every  old  woman  in  the  village  may  have  a  tx>t-pie  for  the 
asking." 

"  Well,  we  have  happily  frightened  the  birds  from  this  ride 
jf  the  valley,"  said  Mannaduke,  "and  the  carnage  must  of 
necessity  end  for  the  present.  Boye,  I  will  give  you  sixpence  a 
hundred  for  the  pigeons'  heads  only  :  so  go  to  work,  and  bring 
them  into  the  village." 

This  expedient  produced  the  desired  effect,  for  every  urchin 
on  the  ground  went  industriously  to  work  to  wring  the  necks 
of  the  wounded  birds.  Judge  Temple  retired  towards  his 
dwelling  with  that  kind  of  feeling  that  many  a  man  has 
experienced  before  him,  who  discovers,"  after  the  excitement 
of  the  moment  has  passed,  that  he  has  purchased  pleasure  at 
the  price  of  misery  to  others.  Horses  were  loaded  with  the 
dead  ;  and,  after  this  first  burst  of  sporting,  the  shooting  of 
pigeons  became  a  business  with  a  few  idlers  for  the  remainder 
of  the  season.  Richard,  however,  boasted  for  many  a  year  of 
his  shot  with  the  "  cricket ; "  and  Benjamin  gravely  asserted, 
that  he  thought  they  killed  nearly  as  many  pigeons  on  that  day 
as  there  were  Frenchmen  destroyed  on  the  memorable  occasion 
of  Rodney's  victory. 


CHAPTER   XXIII 

Kelp,  maters,  help;  here's  a  fish  hangs  In  the  net,  like  a  poor  man's  right 
in  the  law.  Pericles  of  Tyre. 

THE  advance  of  the  season  now  became  as  rapid  as  its  first 
approach  had  been  tedious  and  lingering.  The  days  were 
uniformly  mild,  while  the  nights,  though  cool,  were  no  longer 
chilled  by  frosts.  The  whip-poor-will  was  heard  whistling  his 
melancholy  notes  along  the  margin  of  the  lake,  and  the  ponds 
and  meadows  were  sending  forth  the  music  of  their  thousand 
tenants.  The  leaf  of  the  native  poplar  was  se~n  quivering  in 
the  woods ;  the  sides  of  the  mountains  began  to  lose  their  nue 
of  brown,  as  the  lively  green  of  the  different  members  of  the 
forest  blended  their  shades  with  the  permanent  colours  of  the 
pine  and  hemlock  ;  and  even  the  buds  of  the  tardy  oak  were 
swelling  with  the  promise  of  the  coming  summer.  The  gay  and 
fluttering  blue-bird,  the  social  robin,  and  the  industrious  little 
wren,  were  all  to  be  seen  enlivening  the  fields  with  their  presence 
and  their  songs  ;  while  the  soaring  fish-hawk  was  already  hover- 
ing over  the  waters  of  the  Otsego,  watching,  with  native  voracity, 
for  the  appearance  of  his  prey. 

The  tenants  of  the  lake  were  far-famed  for  both  their 
quantities  and  their  quality,  and  the  ice  had  hardly  disappeared 
before  numberless  little  boats  were  launched  from  the .  shores, 
and  the  lines  of  the  fishermen  were  dropped  into  the  inmost 
recesses  of  its  deepest  caverns,  tempting  the  unwary  animals 
with  every  variety  of  bait  that  the  ingenuity  or  the  art  of  man 
had  invented.  But  the  slow  though  certain  adventures  with 
hook  and  line  were  ill-suited  to  the  profusion  and  impatience  of 
the  settlers. — More'  destructive  means  were  resorted-  to  ;  and  as 
the  season  had  now  arrived  when  the  bass-fisheries  were  allowed 
by  the  provisions  of  the  law  that  Judge  Temple  had  procured, 
the  Sheriff  declared  his  intention,  by  availing  himself  of  the  first 
dark  night,  to  enjoy  the  sport  in  person. 

"And  you  shall  be  present,  cousin  Bess,"  he  added,  when  he 
announced  this  design,  "and  Miss  Grant  and  Mr.  Edwards; 
and  I  will  show  you  what  I  call  fishing — not  nibble,  nibble, 
nibble,  as  'duke  does  when  he  goes  after  the  salmon-trout 
There  he  will  sit  for  hours,  in  a  broiling  sun,  or  perhaps  over  a 

206 


THE  PIONEERS.  207 

hole,  in  the  ice,  in  tlie  coldest  days  in  winter,  under  the  lee  of  a 
few  bushes,  and  not  a  fish  will  he  catch,  after  all  this  mortifica- 
tion of  the  flesh.  No,  no — give  me  a  good  seine  that's  fifty  or 
sixty  fathoms  in  length,  with  a  jolly  parcel  of  boatmen  to  crack 
their  jokes  the  while,  with  Benjamin  to  steer,  and  let  us  haul 
J;hem  in  by  thousands  ;  I  call  that  fishing." 

"  Ah  1  Dickon,"  cried  Marmaduke,  "  thou  knowest  but  little 
of  the  pleasure  there  is  in  playing  with  the  hook  and  line,  or 
thou  wouldst  be  more  saving  of  the  game.  I  have  known 
thee  to  leave  fragments  enough  behind  thee  when  thou  hast 
headed  a  night-party  on  the  lake,  to  feed  a  dozen  famishing 
families." 

"  I  shall  not  dispute  th°.  matter,  Judge  Temple  :  this  night  will 
I  go ;  and  I  invite  the  company  to  attend,  and  then  let  them 
decide  between  us." 

Richard  was  busy  during  most  of  the  afternoon,  making  his 
preparations  for  the  important  occasion.  Just  as  the  light  of 
the  setting  sun  had  disappeared,  and  a  new  moon  had  begun  to 
throw  its  shadows  on  the  earth,  the  fishermen  took  their  departure 
in  a  boat,  for  a  point  that  was  situated  on  the  western  shore  of 
the  lake,  at  the  distance  of  rather  more  than  half  a  mile  from 
the  village.  The  ground  had  become  settled,  and  the  walking 
was  gooa  and  dry.  Marmaduke,  with  his  daughter,  her  friend, 
and  young  Edwards,  continued  on  the  high  grassy  banks  at  the 
outlet  of  the  placid  sheet  of  water,  watching  the  dark  object 
that  was  moving  across  the  lake,  until  it  entered  the  shade  of 
the  western  hills,  and  was  lost  to  the  eye.  The  distance 
round  by  land  to  the  point  of  destination  was  a  mile,  and  he 
observed, — 

"  It  is  time  for  us  to  be  moving ;  the  moon  will  be  down 
ere  we  reach  the  point,  and  then  the  miraculous  hauls  of  Dickon 
will  commence  " 

The  evening  was  warm,  and,  after  the  long  and  dreary  winter 
from  which  they  had  just  escaped,  delightfully  invigorating. 
Inspirited  by  the  scene  and  their  anticipated  amusement,  the 
youthful  companions  of  the  Judge  followed  his  steps,  as  he  led 
them  along  the  shores  of  the  Otsego,  and  through  the  skirts  of 
the  village.' 

"  See  1 "  said  young  Edwards,  "  they  are  building  their  fire 
already ;  it  glimmers  for  a  moment,  and  dies  again  like  the 
light  of  a  fire-fly." 

"  Now  it  blazes,"  cried  Elizabeth :  "  you  can  perceive  figures 
moving  around  the  light  Oh  !  I  would  bet  my  jewels  against 
the  gold  beads  «of  Remarkable,  that  my  impatient  cousin 
Dickon  had  an  agency  in  raising  that  bright  flame ; — and  see  ; 
it  fades  again,  like  most  of  his  brilliant  schemes." 

*  Thou  hast  guessed  the  truth,  Bess,"  said  her  father  ;  "  he  ha» 


SOS  THE  PIONEERS. 

thrown  an  armful  of  brush  on  the  pile,  which  has  burnt  out  as 
soon  as  lighted.  But  it  has  enabled  them  to  find  a  better  fuel, 
for  their  nre  begins  to  blaze  with  a  more  steady  flame.  It  is  the 
true  fisherman's  beacon  now  ;  observe  how  beautifully  it  throws 
its  little  circle  of  light  on  the  water  1 " 

The  appearance  of  the  fire  urged  the  pedestrians  on,  for  even 
the  ladies  had  become  eager  to  witness  the  miraculous  draught. 
By  the  time  they  reached  the  bank,  which  rose  above  the  low 
point  where  the  fishermen  had  landed,  the  moon  had  sunk 
behind  the  tops  of  the  western  pines,  and,  as  most  of  the  stars 
were  obscured  by  clouds,  there  was  but  little  other  light  than 
that  whicn  proceeded  from  the  fire.  At  the  suggestion  of 
Marmaduke,  his  companions  paused  to  listen  to  the  conversation 
of  those  below  them,  and  examine  the  party,  for  a  moment, 
before  they  descended  to  the  shore. 

The  whole  "group  was  seated  around  the  fire,  with  the 
exception  cj  jiichard  and  Benjamin  ;  the  former  of  whom 
occupied  the  root  of  a  decayed  stump,  that  had  been  drawn  to 
the  spot  as  part  of  their  fuel,  and  the  latter  was  standing 
with  nis  arms  akimbo,  sd  near  to  the  flame  that  the  smoke 
occasionally  obscured  his  solemn  visage,  as  it  waved  around  the 
pile,  in  obedience  to  the  night  airs,  that  swept  gently  over  the 
water." 

!t  Why,  look  you,  Squire,"  said  the  major-domo,  "  you  may 
call  a  lake-fish  that  will  weigh  twenty  or  thirty  pounds  a  serious 
matter  ;  but  to  a  man  who  has  hauled  in  a  shovel- nosed  shirk, 
d'ye  see,  it's  but  a  poor  kind  of  fishing  after  all." 

"  I  don't  know,  Benjamin,"  returned  the  Sheriff  :  "  a  haul  of 
one  thousand  Otsego  bass,  without  counting  pike,  pickerel,  perch, 
bull-pouts,  salmon  trouts,  and  suckers,  is  no  bad  fishing,  let 
me  tell  you.  There  may  be  sport  in  sticking  a  shark,  but  what 
is  he  good  for  after  you  have  got  him  1  Now  any  one  of  the  fish 
that  I  have  named  is  fit  to  set  before  a  king." 

"Well,  Squire,"  returned  Benjamin,  "just  listen  to  the 
philosophy  of  the  thing.  Would  it  stand  to  reason  that  such 
fish  should  live  and  be  catched  in  this  here  little  pond  of  water, 
where  it's  hardly  deep  enough  to  drown  a  man,  as  you'll  find  in 
the  wide  ocean,  where,  as  everybody  knows,  that  is,  everybody 
that  has  followed  the  seas,  whales  and  grampuses  are  to  be 
seen,  that  are  as  long  as  one  of  the  pine  trees  on  yonder 
mountain?" 

"  Softly,  softly,  Benjamin,"  said  the  Sheriff,  as  if  he  wished  to 
save  the  credit  of  his  favourite  ;  "why,  some  of  the  piuea  will 
m«asurt  two  hundred  feet,  and  even  more." 

"  Two  hundred  or  two  thousand,  it's  all  the  same  thing,"  cried 
Benjamin,  with  an  air  which  manifested  that  he  was  not  easily 
to  be  bullied  out  of  his  opinion,  on  a  subject  like  the  present. 


THE  PIONEERS.  -209 

*'  Haven't  I  been  there,  and  haven't  I  seen  ?  I  have  said  that 
you  fall  in  with  whales  as  long  as  one  of  them  there  pines ;  and 
what  I  have  once  said  I'll  stand  to." 

During  this  dialogue,  which  was  evidently  but  the  close  of  a 
much  longer  discussion,  the  huge  frame  of  Billy  Kirby  was  seen 
extended  on  one  side  of  the  fire,  where  he  was  picking  his  teeth 
with  splinters  of  the  chips  near  him,  and  occasionally  shaking 
his  head,  with  distrust  of  Benjamin's  assertions. 

"I've  a  notion,"  said  the  wood-chopper,  "that  there's  water 
in  this  lake  to  swim  the  biggest  whale  that  ever  was  invented  ; 
and  as  to  the  pines,  I  think  I  ought  to  know  so'thing  consarning 
them ;  I  have  chopped  many  a  one  that  was  sixty  times  the 
length  of  my  helve,  without  counting  the  eye  ;  and  I  believe, 
Benny,  that  if  the  old  pine  that  stands  in  the  hollow  of  the 
Vision  Mountain,  just  over  the  village, — you  may  see  the  tree  itself 
by  looking  up,  for  the  moon  is  on  its  top  yet : — well,  now  I 
believe,  if  that  same  tree  was  planted  out  in  the  deepest  part  of 
the  lake,  there  would  be  water  enough  for  the  biggest  ship  that 
ever  was  built  to  float  over  it,  without  touching  its  upper 
branches,  I  do." 

"  Did'ee  ever  see  a  ship,  Master  Kirby  ? "  roared  the  steward — 
tf  did'ee  ever  a  ship,  man  ?  or  any  craft  bigger  than  a  lime-scow, 
or  a  wood-boat,  on  this  here  small  bit  of  fresh  water  ? " 

"  Yes,  I  have,"  said  the  wood-chopper  stoutly  ;  "  I  can  say 
that  I  have,  and  tell  no  lie." 

"Did'ee  ever  see  a  British  ship,  Master  Kirby?  an  English 
line-of-battle  ship,  boy  ?  Where  away  did'ee  ever  fall  in  with  a 
regular-built  vessel,  with  starn-post  and  cut-water,  garboard 
streak  and  plank-shear,  gangways  and  hatchways,  and  waterways, 
quarter-deck  and  forecastle,  ay,  and  flush  deck  ? — tell  me  that, 
man,  if  you  can ;  where  away  did'ee  ever  fall  in  with  a  full- 
rigged,  regular-built,  decked  vessel  ?  " 

The  whole  company  were  a  good  deal  astounded  with  this 
overwhelming  question,  and  even  Richard  afterwards  remarked, 
that  it  "  was  a  thousand  pities  that  Benjamin  could  not  read,  or 
he  must  have  made  a  valuable  officer  to  the  British  marine.  It 
is  no  wonder  that  they  overcome  the  French  so  easily  on  the 
water,  when  even  the  lowest  sailor  so  well  understood  the 
different  parts  of  a  vessel."  But  Billy  Kirby  was  a  fearless 
wight,  and  had  great  jealousy  of  foreign  dictation ;  he  had 
arisen  on  his  feet,  and  turned  hia  back  to  the  fire,  during  the 
voluble  delivery  of  this  interrogatory ;  and  when  the  steward 
ended,  contrary  to  all  expectation,  he  gave  the  following  spirited 
reply: — 

"Where  I  why,  on  the  North  River,  and  maybe  on  Champlain. 
There's  sloops  on  the  river,  boy,  that  would  give  a  hard  time  on't 
to  the  stoutest  vessel  King  George  owns.  They  carry  masts  of 


210  THE  PIONEERS. 

ninety  feet  in  the  clear,  of  good,  solid  pine,  for  I've  been  at  the 
chopping  of  many  a  one  in  Varmount  State.  I  wish  I  was 
captain  in  one  of  them,  ar  i  you  was  in  that  Board-dish  that  you 
talk  so  much  about ;  and  we'd  soon  see  vrhat  good  Yankee  stuff 
is  made  on,  and  whether  a  Varmounter's  hide  an't  as  thick  as  an 
Englishman's." 

The  echoes  from  the  opposite  hills,  which  were  mo-  z  than  hall 
a  mile  from  the  fishing  point,  sent  back  the  discordant  laugh  that 
Benjamin  gave  forth  at  this  challenge ;  and  the  woods  that 
covered  their  sides  seemed,  by  the  noise  that  issued  from  their 
shades,  to  be  full  of  mocking  demons. 

"Let  us  descend  to  the  shore,"  whispered  Marmaduke, 
"  or  there  will  soon  be  ill  blood  between  them.  Benjamin 
is  a  fearless  boaster,  and  Kirby,  though  good  -  natured,  is  a 
careless  son  of  the  forest,  who  thinks  one  American  more 
than  a  match  for  six  Englishmen.  I  marvel  that  Tickon 
is  silent,  where  there  is  such  a  trial  of  skill  in  the  boper- 
lative!" 

The  appearance  of  Judge  Temple  and  the  ladies  produced, 
if  not  a  pacification,  at  least  a  cessation  of  hostilities. 
Obedient  to  the-  directions  of  Mr.  Jones,  the  fishermen  pre- 
pared to  launch  their  boat,  which  had  been  seen  in  the  back- 
ground of  the  view,  with  the  net  carefully  disposed  on  a  little 
platform  iu  its  stern,  ready  for  service.  Richard  gave  vent 
to  his  reproaches  at  the  tardiness  of  the  pedestrians,  when  all 
the  turbulent  passions  of  the  party  were  succeeded  by  a  calm, 
as  mild  and  as  placid  as  that  which  prevailed  over  the 
beautiful  sheet  of  water,  that  they  were  atxmt  to  rifle  of  its 
best  treasures. 

The  night  had  now  become  so  dark  as  to  render  objects,  with- 
out the  reach  of  the  light  of  the  fire,  not  only  indistinct,  but,  in 
most  cases,  invisible.  Tor  a  little  distance  the*  water  was  dis- 
cernible, glistening,  as  the  glare  from  the  fire  danced  over  its 
surface,  touching  it,  here  and  there,  with  red,  quivering  streaks  ; 
but  at  a  hundred  feet  from  the  shore  there  Jay  a  boundary  of 
impenetrable  gloom.  One  or  two  stars  were  shining  through 
the  openings  of  the  clouds,  and  the  lights  were  seen  in  the 
village,  glimmering  faintly,  as  if  at  an  immeasurable  distance. 
At  times,  as  the  fire  lowered,  or  as  the  horizon  cleared,  the  out- 
line of  the  mountain,  on  the  other  eide  of  the  lake,  might  be 
traced  by  its  undulations ;  but  its  shadow  was  cast,  wide  and 
dense,  on  the  bosom  of  the  water,  rendering  the  darkness,  in  that 
direction,  trebly  deep. 

Benjamin  Pump  was  invariably  the  cockswain  and  net-caster 
of  Ricnard's  boat,  unless  the  Sheriff  saw  fit  to  preside  in  person  ; 
and,  on  the  present  occasion,  Billy  Kirby,  and  a  youth  of  about 
half  his  strength,  wiere  assigned  to  the  oars.  The  remainder 


TEE  PIONEERS.  fill 

of  the  assistants  were  stationed  at  the  drag  ropes.  The  arrange* 
merits  were  speedily  ruade,  and  Richard  gave  the  signal  to 
«  shove  oft" 

Elizabeth  watched  the  motion  of  the  batteau,  as  it  pulled  from 
the  shore,  letting  loose  its  rope  as  it  went,  but  it  soon  disappeared 
in  the  darkness,  when  the  ear  was  her  only  guide  to  its  evolu- 
tions. There  was  great  affectation  of  stillness,  during  all  these 
manoeuvres,  in  order,  as  Eichard  assured  them,  "not  to  frighten 
the  bass,  who  were  running  into  the  shoal  waters,  and  who 
would  approach  the  light,  if  not  disturbed  by  the  sounds  frcin 
the  fishermen." 

The  hoarse  voice  of  Benjamin  was  alone  heard,  issuing  out  of 
the  gloom,  as  he  uttered,  in  authoritative  tones,  "  pull  larboard 
oar,"  "pull  starboard,"  "give  way  together,  boys,"  and  such 
other  dictative  mandates  as  were  necessary  for  the  right  disposi- 
tion of  his  seine.  A  long  time  was  passed  in  this  necessary  part 
of  the  process,  for  Benjamin  prided  nimself  greatly  on  his  skill 
in  throwing  the  net,  and,  in  fact  most  of  the  success  of  the  sport 
depended  on  its  being  done  with  judgment  At  length  a  loud 
splash  in  the  water,  as  he  threw  away  the  "  staff,"  or  "  stretcher," 
with  a  hoarse  call  from  the  steward,  of  "  clear,"  announced  that 
the  boat  was  returning  ;  when  Bichard  seized  a  brand  from  the 
fire,  and  ran  to  a  point,  as  far  above  the  centre  of  the  fishing 
ground,  as  the  one  from  which  the  batteau  had  started  was 
below  it. 

"  Stick  her  in  dead  for  the  Squire,  boys,"  said  the  steward, 
"  and  we'll  have  a  look  at  what  grows  in  this  here  pond." 

In  place  of  the  falling  net  were  now  to  be  heard  the  quick 
strokes  of  the  oars,  and  the  noise  of  the  rope  running  out  of 
V-?.  boat  Presently  the  batteau  shot  into  the  circle  of  light, 
end  in  an  instant  she  was  pulled  to  shore.  Several  eager 
Lends  were  extended,  to  receive  the  line,  and,  both  ropes 
b,  trfj  equally  well  manned,  the  fishermen  commenced  Lauling 
•:.,  with  elow  and  tteady  drags,  Eichard  standing  in  tho 
t  at-ce,  giving  orders,  first  to  one  party  and  then  to  the 
to  increase  or  slacken  their  efforts,  as  occasion  re- 
quired. The  visitors  were  posted  near  him,  and  enjoyed  a 
'fair  view  of  the  whole  operation,  which  was  slowly  advancing 
to  an  end. 

Opinions  as  lo  the  result  of  their  adventure  were  now  freely 
hazarded  by  all  the  men,  some  declaring  that  the  net  came  in  as 
light  as  a  feather,  and  others  affirming  that  it  seemed  to  be  fall 
of  logs.  As  the  ropes  were  many  hundred  feet  in  length,  these 
opposing  sentiments  were  thought  to  be  of  little  moment  by  the 
Sheriff,  who  would  go  first  to  one  line  and  then  to  the  other, 
giving  each  a  small  pull,  in  order  to  enable  him  to  form  an 
opinion  for 


S12  THE  PIONEERS. 

"Why,  Benjamin,"  he  cried,  as  he  mads  his  first  effort 
in  this  way,  "you  did  not  throw  the  net  clear.  I  can 
move  it  with  my  little  finger.  The  rope  slacken*  in  niy 
hand." 

"Did  you  ever  see  a  whale,  Squire?"  responded  the  steward 
"  I  say  that  if  that  there  net  is  foul,  the  devil  is  in  the  lake  in  the 
shape  of  a  fish,  for  I  cast  it  as  fair  as  ever  rigging  was  rove  ov«i« 
the  quarter-deck  of  a  flag-ship." 

But  Richard  discovered  his  mistake,  when  he  saw  Bdly  Kirb> 
before  him,  standing,  with  his  feet  in  the  water,  at  an  angle 
of  forty-five  degrees,  inclining  shorewards,  and  expending  Li* 
gigantic  strength  in  sustaining  himself  in  that  posture.  He 
ceased  his  remonstrances,  and  proceeded  to  the  party  at  the 
other  line. 

"  I  see  the  *  staffs,' "  shouted  Mr.  Jones  ;  —  "  gather  in, 
boys,  and  away  with  it ;  to  shore  with  her !  —  to  snore  with 
herl" 

At  this  cheerful  sound,  Elizabeth  strained  her  eyes  and  saw 
the  ends  of  the  two  sticks  on  the  eeine,  emerging  from  the 
darkness,  while  the  men  closed,  near  to  each  other,  and 
formed  a  deep  bag  of  their  net.  The  exertions  of  the  fisher- 
men sensibly  increased,  -and  the  voice  of  Richard  was  heard 
encouraging  them  to  make  their  greatest  efforts  at  the  present 
moment. 

"  Now*s  the  time,  my  lads,"  he  cried ;  "  let  us  get  the 
ends  to  land,  and  all  we  have  will  be  our  own  —  away  with 
herl" 

"  Away  with  her,  it  is,"  echoed  Benjamin  1 — "  hurrah  I  ho-a- 
hoy,  ho-a-hoy,  ho-a  1 " 

"  In  with  her,"  shouted  Kirby,  exerting  himself  in  a 
manner  that  left  nothing  for  those  in  .his  rear  to  do,  but  to 
gather  up  the  slack  of  the  rope  which  passed  through  his 
hands. 

"  Staff,  ho !  "  shouted  the  stewartV 

"  Staff,  ho  ! "  echoed  Kirby  from  the  other  rope. 

The  men  rushed  to  the  water's  edge,  some  peizing  the  upper 
rope,  and  some  the  lower,  or  lead -rope,  and  began  to  liaul 
with  great  activity  and  zeal.  A  deep  semi-circular  sweep,  of 
the  little  balls  that  supported  the  seine  in  its  perpendicular 
position,  was  plainly  visible  to  the  spectators,  and,  as  it  rapidly 
lessened  in  size,  the  bag  of  the  r.et  appeared,  while  an  occasional 
flutter  on  the  water  announced  the  uneasiness  of  the  prisoners  it 
contained. 

"Haul  in,  my  lads,"  shouted  Richard — "I  can  see  the  dogs1 
kicking  to  get  free.  Haul  in,  and  here's  a  cast  that  will  pay  for 
the  labour. 

Fishes  of  various  sorts  were  now  to  be  seen,  entangled  in  the 


THE  PIONEERS.  213 

'meshes  of  the  net,  as  it  was  passed  through  the  hands  of  the 
labourers ;  and  the  water,  at  a  little  distance  from  the  shore,  was 
alive  with  the  movements  of  the  alarmed  victims.  Hundreds  of 
white  sides  were  glancing  up  to  the  surface  of  the  water,  and 
glistening  in  the  nre'-light,  when,  frightened  at  the  uproar  and 
me  change,  the  fish  would  £gain  dart  to  the  bottom,  in  fruitless 
efforts  for  freedom. 

"  Hurrah  ! "  shouted  Richard  ;  "  one  or  two  more  heavy  drags, 
boys,  and  we  are  safe." 

"  Cheerily,  boys,  cheerily  ! "  cried  Benjamin  ;  "  I  see  a  salmon- 
trout  that  is  big  enough  for  a  chowder." 

"  Away  with  yom,  you  varmint  1 "  said  Billy  Kirbv,  plucking 
a  bull-pout  from  the 'meshes,  and  casting  the  animal  back  into 
the  lake  with  contempt.  "  Pull,  boys,  pull ;  here's  all  kinds, 
and  the  Lord  condemn  me  for  a  liar,  if  there  an't  a  thousand 
bass ! " 

Inflamed  beyond  the  bounds  of  discretion  at  the  sight,  and 
forgetful  of  the  season,  the  wood- chopper  rushed  to  his  middle 
into  th«  water,  and  began  to  drive  the  reluctant  animals  before 
him  from  their  native  element 

"  Pull  heartily,  boys,"  cried  Marmaduke,  yielding  to  the  excite- 
ment of  the  moment,  and  laying  his  hands  to  the  net,  with  no 
trifling  addition  to  the  force.  Edwards  had  preceded  him,  for 
the  sight  of  the  immense  piles  of  fish,  that  were  slowly  rolling 
over  on  the  gravelly  beach,  had  impelled  him  also  to  leave  the 
ladies,  and  join  the  fishermen. 

Great  care  was  observed  in  bringing  the  net  to  land,  and, 
after  much  toil,  the  whole  shoal  of  victims  was  safe  daposited  in 
a  hollow  of  the  bank,  where  they  were  left  to  flutter  away 
their  brief  existence  in  the  new  and  fatal  element. 

Even  Elizabeth  and  Louisa  were  greatly  excited  and  highly 
gratified  by  seeing  two  thousand  captives  thus  drawn  from  the 
bosom  of  the  lake,  and  laid  prisoners  at  their  feet.  But  when 
the  feelings  of  the  moment  were  passing  away,  Marmaduke  took 
in  his  hands  a  bass,  that  might  have  weighed  two  pounds,  and 
after  viewing  it  a  moment,  in  melancholy  musing,  he  turned  to 
his  daughter,  and  observed, — 

"This  is  a  fearful  expenditure  of  the  choicest  gifts  of  Pro- 
vidence. These  fish,  Bess,  which  thou  seest  lyin^  in  such  piles 
before  thee,  and  which  by  to-morrow  evening  will  be  rejected 
food  on  the  meanest  table  in  Templeton,  are  of  a  quality  and 
flavour  that,  in  other  countries,  would  make  them  esteemed  a 
luxury  on  the  tables  of  princes  or  epicures.  The  world  has  no 
better  fish  than  the  bass  of  Otsego  :  it  unites  the  richness  of 
the  shad  '  to  the  firmness  of  the  salmon." 

•'  alt  the  fish  the  writer  has  ever  tasted,  he  thinks  the  one  in  question  th« 


814  THE  PIONEERS. 

"But  surely,  dear  sir,"  cried  Elizabeth,  "they  must  prove 
a  great  blessing  to  the  country,  and  a  powerful  friend  to  the 
poor." 

"  The  poor  are  always  prodigal,  my  child,  where  there  is 
plenty,  and  seldom  think  of  a  provision  against  the  morrow. 
Jjtit  if  there  can  be  any  excuse  lor  destroying  animals  in  this 
manner,  it  is  in  taking  the  bass.  During  the  winter,  you 
know,  they  are  entirely  protected  from  our  assaults  by  .the 
ice,  for  they  refuse  the  nook ;  and  during  the  hot  months 
they  are  not  seen.  It  is  supposed  they  retreat  to  the  deep 
and  cool  waters  of  the  lake,  at  that  season ;  and  it  is  only  in 
the  spring  and  autumn,  that,  for  a  few  days,  they  are  to  be 
found  around  the  points  where  they  are  "within  the  reach  of  a 
seine.  But,  like  all  the  other  treasures  of  the  wilderness,  they 
already  begin  to  disappear  before  the  wasteful  extravagance  of 
man." 

"Disappear,  'duke  I  disappear  1"  exclaimed  the  Sheriff;  "if 
you  don't  call  this  appearing,  I  know  not  what  you  will.  Here 
are  a  good  thousand  of  the  shiners,  some  hundreds  of  suckers, 
and  a  powerful  quantity  of  other  fry.  But  this  is  always  the 
way  with  you,  Marmaduke  ;  first  it's  the  trees,  then  it's  the  deer, 
after  that  it's  the  maple  sugar,  and  so  on  to  the  end  of  the  chapter. 
One  day  you  talk  of  canals  through  a  country  where  there's  a 
river  or  a  lake  every  half  mile,  just  because  the  water  won't  run 
the  way  you  wish  it  to  go ;  and  the  next,  you  say  something 
about  mines  of  coal,  though  any  man  who  has  good  eyes  like  my- 
self—  I  say  with  good  eyes  —  can  see  more  wood  than  would 
keep  the  city  of  London  in  fuel  for  fifty  years ;  wouldn't  it, 
Benjamin  ? " 

"Why,  for  that,  Squire,"  said  the  steward,  "Lon'on  is  no 
small  place.  If  it  was  stretched  an  end,  all  the  same  as  a  town 
on  one  side  of  a  river,  it  would  cover  some  such  matter  as  this 
here  lake.  Tho'f  I  dar'st  to  say,  that  the  wood  in  sight  might 
sarve  them  a  good  turn,  seeing  that  the  Lon'oners  mainly  burn 
coal." 

"Now  we  are  on  the  subject  of  coal,  Judge  Temple,"  interrupted 
the  Sheriff,  "  I'have  a  thing  of  much  importance  to  communicate 
to  you ;  but  I  will  defer  it  until  to-morrow.  I  know  that  you 
intend  riding  into  the  eastern  part  of  the  Patent,  and  I  will 
accompany  you,  and  conduct  you  to  a  spot,  where  some  of  your 
projects  may  be  realized.  We  will  say  no  more  now,  for  there 
are  listeners ;  but  a  secret  has  this  evening  been  revealed  to  me, 
'duke,  that  is  of  more  consequence  to  your  welfare  than  all  your 
estates  united." 

Marmaduke  laughed  at  the  important-  intelligence,  to  which 
in  a  variety  of  shapes  he  was  accustomed,  and  the  Sheriff, 
with  an  air  of  great  dignity,  as  if  pitying  his  want  of  faith. 


THE  PIONEMS.  216 

procopdod    in   the    business   more    immediately   before   them. 

As  the  labour  of  drawing  the  net  had  been  very  great,  he 
ted  one  party  of  his  men  to  commence  Growing  the  fish 
piles,  preparatory  to  the  usual  divisi&n.  v/hile  another, 
r  the  superintendence  of  Benjamin,  prvj^/'/t  tV*  seine  for 


directed 

into 

under 

a  second  h*ul. 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

While  from  its  margin,  terrible  to  tell ! 
Three  sailors  with  their  gallant  boatswain  fell. 

FALCONER. 

WHILE  the  fishermen  were  employe  in  making  the  prepara- 
tions for  an  equitable  divisio^of  the  spoil,  Elizabeth  and  her 
friend  strolled  a  short  distance  from  the  group,  along  the  shores 
of  the  lake.  After  reaching  a  point,  to  which  even  the 
brightest  of  the  occasional  gleams  .of  the  fire  did  not  extend, 
they  turned,  and  paused  a  moment,  in  contempktion  of  the 
busy  and  lively  party  they  had  left,  and  of  the  obscurity,  which, 
like  the  gloom  of  oblivion,  seemed  to  envelop  the  rest  of  the 
creation. 

"This  is  indeed  a  subject  for  the  pencil!"  exclaimed  Elizabeth. 
"  Observe  the  countenance  of  that  wood-chopper,  while  he  exults 
in  presenting  a  larger  fish  than  common  to  my  cousin  Sheriff ; 
and  see,  Louisa,  how  handsome  and  considerate  my  dear  father 
looks,  by  the  light  of  that  fire,  where  he  stands  viewing  the 
havoc  of  the  game.  He  seema  melancholy,  as  if  he  actually 
thought  that  a  day  of  retribution  was  to  follow  this  hour  of 
abundance  and  prodigality  1  Would  they  not  make  a  picture, 
Louisa?" 

"  You  know  that  I  am  ignorant  of  all  such  accomplishments, 
Miss  Temple." 

"  Call  me  by  my  Christian  name,"  interrupted  Elizabeth : 
ic  this  is  not  a  place,  neither  is  this  a  scene,  for  forms." 

"  Well,  then,  I  may  venture  an  opinion,"  said  Louisa  timidly, 
'  I  should  think  it  might  indeed  make  a  picture.  The  selfish 
earnestness  of  that  Kirby  over  hia  fish  would  contrast  finely  with 
the — the— expression  of'Mr.  Edwards's  face.  I  hardly  know  what 
to  call  it ;  but  it  is — a — is — you  know  what  I  would  «"*%  dear 
Elizabeth." 

"You  do  me  too  much  credit.  Miss  Grant,'  ^aid  the 
heiress ;  "  I  am  no  diviner  of  thoughts,  or  ii  ..cvpreter  of 
expressions." 

There  was  certainly  nothing  harsh,  or  even  cold,  in  the 
manner  of  the  speaker, -but  still  it  repressed  the  conversation, 
and  they  continued  to  stroll  still  further  from  the  party,  retain- 


Tllti 

ing  each  others  arm,  but  observing  a  profound  sikuce.  Elizabeth, 
perhaps,  conscious  of  the  improper  phraseology  of  her  last 
ppeech,  or  perhaps  excited  by  the  new  object  that  met  her  gaze, 
wa«  the  first  to  break  the  awkward  cessation  in  the  discourse,  by 
exclaiming, — 

"  Look,  Louisa  1  we  are  not  alone ;  there  are  fishermen 
lighting  a  fire  on  tlio  other  side  of  the  lake,  immediately 
opposite  to  us ;  it  must  be  in  front  of  the  ca1>in  of  Leather- 
locking!" 

Through  the  obscurity,  which  prevailed  most  immediately 
under  the  eastern  mountain,  a  small  and  uncertain  light  was 
plainly  to  be  seen,  though,  as  it  was  occasionally  lost  to  the  eye, 
>t  peenied  struggling  for  existence.  They  observed  it  to  move, 
and  sensibly  to  lower,  as  if  carried  down  the  descent  of  the 
bank  to  the  shore.  Here,  in  a  very  short  time,  its  flame 
gradually  expanded,  and  grew  brighter,  until  it  became  of  the 
size  of  a  man's  head,  when  it  continued  to  shine,  a  steady  ball 
of  are.  . 

Such  an  object,  lighted  as  it  were  by  magic,  under  the  brow 
of  the  mountain,  and  in  that  retired  and  unfrequented  place, 
gave  double  interest  to  the  beauty  aud  singularity  of  its  appear- 
ance. It  did  not  at  all  resemble  the  large  and  vinsteady  bight  of 
their  own  fire,  being  much  more  clear  and  bright^  and  retaining 
its  size  and  shape  v  ith  perfect  uniformity. 

There  are  moments  when  the  best  regulated  minds  are,  moie 
cr  less,  subjected  to  the  injurious  impressions  which  few  have 
escaped  in  infancy  ;  and  Elizabeth  smiled  at  her  own  weakness, 
while  she  remembered  the  idle  tales  which  were  circulated 
through  flie  village,  at  the  expense  of  the  Leather-stocking.  The 
same  ideas  seized  her  companion,  and  at  the  same  instant,  for 
Louisa  pressed  nearer  to  her  friend,  as  she  said  in  a  low  voice, 
stealing  a  timid  glance  towards  the  bushes  and  tr»;es  that  over- 
hung the  bank  near  them, — 

"  Did  you  ever  hear  the  singular  ways  of  this  Natty  spoken  of, 
Bliss  Temple  ?  They  say  that,  in  his  youth,  ho  was  an  Indian 
warrior  ;  or,  what  is  the  same  thing,  a  white  man  leagued  with 
the  savages  ;  and  it  is  thought  he  has  been  concerned  in  many  of 
theif  inroads,  in  the  old  wars." 

"The  thing  is  not  at  all  improbable,"  returned  Elizabeth  :  "he 
is  not  alone  in  that  particular." 

"  No,  surely  ;  but  is  it  not  strange  that  he  is  so  cautious  with 
ain  hut?  He  never  leaves  it,  without  fastening  it  in  a  remark- 
able manner  ;  and  in  several  instances,  when  the  children,  or 
even  the  men  of  the  village,  have  wished  to  seek  a  shelter 
there  from  the  storms,  he  has  been  knpwn  to  drive  them  from 
hi;  door  with  rudeness  and  threats.  That,  surely,  is  singular 
£a  this  country  I " 


$18  THE  PIONEERS. 

"It  is  certainly  not  very  hospitaolo  ;  but  we  must  remember  hia 
aversion  to  the  customs  of  civilized  life.  You  heard  my  father 
say,  a  few  days  since,  how  kindly  he  was  treated  by  him  on  hia 
first  visit  to  this  place."  Elizabeth  paused,  and  smiled,  with  an 
expression  of  peculiar  archness,  though  the  darkness  hid  its 
meaning  from  her  companion,  as  she  continued — "Besides,  he 
certainly  admits  the  visits  of  Mr.  Edwards,  whom  we  both  know 
to  bo  far  from  a  savage ." 

To  this  speech  Louisa  made  no  reply  ;  but  continued  gazing 
on  the  object  which  had  elicited  her  remarks.  In  addition 
to  the  bright  and  circular  flame,  was  now  to  be  seen  a  fainter 
though  a  vivid  light,  of  an  equal  diameter  to  the  other  afe 
the  upper  end ;  but  which,  after  extending  downward  for 
many  feet,  gradually  tapered  to  a  point  at  its  lower  extremity. 
A  dark  space  was  plainly  visible  between  the  two;  and  the 
new  illumination  was  placed  beneath  the  other ;  the  whole 
forming  an  appearance  not  unlike  an  inverted  note  of  admira- 
tion. It  was  soon  evident  that  the  latter  was  nothing  but 
the  reflection  from  the  water  of  the  former ;  and  that  the 
object,  whatever  it  might  be,  was  advancing  across,  or  rathei 
over,  the  lake,  forx  it  seemed  to  be  several  feet  above  it3 
surface,  in  a  direct  line  with  themselves.  Its  motion  was 
amazingly  rapid,  the  ladies  having  hardly  discovered  that  it 
was.  moving  at  all,  before  the  waving  light  of  a  flama  was 
discerned,  losing  its  regular  shape,  while  it  increased  in  size,  as 
it  approached. 

"  It  appears  to  be  supernatural !  "  whispered  Louisa,  beginning 
to  retrace  her  steps  towards  the  party. 

"  It  is  beautiful  1 "  exclaimed  Elizabeth. 

A  brilliant  though  waving  flame  was  now  plainly  visible, 
gracefully  gliding  over  the  lake,  and  throwing  its  lig^  c  on 
the  water  in  such,  a  manner  as  to  tinge  it  slightly ;  laough 
in  the  air,  so  strong  was'  the  contrast,  the  darkness  turned  to 
have  the  distinctness  of  material  substances,  as  ii  the  fire 
were  embedded  in  a  setting  of  ebony.  This  appearance,  how- 
ever, gradually  wore  off ;  and  the  rays  from  the  Lorch  struck 
out,  and  enlightened  the  atmosphere  in  front  <>i  it,  leaving 
the  background  in  a  darkness  that  was  more  imj  /netrable  than 
ever. 

"Ho  1  Natty,  is  that  you  ?"  shouted  the  Sheiifl  "  Paddle  in, 
old  boy,  and  I'll  give  you  a  mess  of'  fish  that  is  fit  to.  place  before 
the  Governor." 

The  light  suddenly  changed  its  direction ;  a&d  a  long  and 
slightly -built  boat  hove  up  out  of  the  gloom,  while  the  red  glare 
fell  on  the  weather-beaten  features  of  the  Leather-stocking,  whose 
tall  person  was  seen  erect  in  the  frail  vessel,  wielding,  with  tho 
qfjui  experienced  boatman,  a,  long  fishing  spear,  whicl*.  he 


THE  PIONEERS.  919 

held  by  its  centre,  first  dropping  one  end  and  llicn  toe  otter 
into  the  water,  to  aid  in  propelling  the  little  canoe  of  baik,  we 
will  not  say  through,  but  ova-,  the  water.  At  the  farther  end  of 
the  vessel  a  form  was  faintly  seen,  gliding  its  motions,  and 
T'<-ing  a  ]iad',lle  with  tie  case  of  one  who  felt  there  was  no 
necessity  for  exertion.  The  Leather-stocking  struck  his  spear 
lightly  against  the  shoit  staff  which  upheld,  on  a  rude  grating 
framed  of  old  hoops  of  iron,  the  knots  of  pine  that  composed 
the  fuel,  and  the  light,  which  glared  high,  for  an  instant 
fell  on  the  swarthy  features  and  daik,  glancing  eyes  oi 
Mohegan. 

The  boat  glided  along  the  shore  until  it  arrived  opposite  the 
fishing-groxind,  when  it  again  changed  its  direction,  and  moved 
on  to  the  land,  with  -a  motion  so  graceful,  and  ytt  so  vapid,  that 
it  sccincd  to  possess  the  power  of  regulating  its  own  progress. 
The  water  in  front  of  the  canoe  was  hardly  ruffled  by  its  passage, 
and  ncj  sound  betrayed  the  collision,  when  the  light  fabiie 
shot  on  the  gravelly  beach  for  nearly  half  its  Icnglh,  Natty 
receding  a  step  or  two  from  its  bow,  in  order  to  facilitate  th« 
landing. 

"  Approach,  Mohegan,"  said  Marmaduke  .  "approach, Le.iil  er- 
•tockmg,  and  load  your  canoe  with  bass.  It  would  be  h  f-hnmc 
to  assail  tho  animals  with  the  f-puir,  when  such  multitudes  of 
\  ictims  lie  here,  that  will  U.  lost  as  food  for  the  want  of  mouths 
to  consume  them." 

"Xo,  no,  Jud^f,"  returnwl  Natty,  his  tall  figure  stalking 
over  the  narrow  1>cacb,  anrt  amending  to  the  httle  grassy  bottom 
where  the  fish  were  laid  in  piles .  "  I  cat  of  no  man's  wasty 
ways.  I  stnke  my  spear  into  the  eels,  or  the  trout,  when  I 
crave  the  creater* ;  but  I  wouldn't  be  helping  to  such  a  sinful 
kind  of  fishing  for  the  best  rifle  that  was  ever  brought  out 
from  the  old  countries.  If  they  had  fur  like  a  beaver,  or  you 
rould  .tan  their  hides  like  a  buck,  sometl  ing  might  be  said 
;u  favour  of  taking  them  by  the  thousands  with  your  nets; 
l>i  t  as  God  made  them  for  man's  food,  and  for  no  other  clisarn- 
able  reason,  I  call  it  sinful  and  wabty  to  catch  more  than  can 
bo  eat." 

"Your  reasoning  is  mine-  foi  once,  old  hunter,  we  agree  in 
opinion ;  and  I  heartily  wish  we  could  make  a  convert  of  the 
Sheriff.  A  net  of  half  the  size  of  this  would  supply  the  whole 
village  with  fish  for  a  week,  at  one  haul." 

The  Leather-flocking  did  not  relish  tins  alliance  in  sentiment ; 
and  he  shook  his  head  doubtingly,  as  he  answered, — 

"No,  no;  we  are  not  much  of  one  mind,  Judge,  or  you'd 
never  txim  good  hunting  grounds  into  stumpy  pa*tures  And 
you  tis.li  and  hunt  out  of  tide ,  but,  to  rue,  the  flcih  i» 
s-weeter  where  the  creater  has  sonic  chance  for  its  lifo  .  for  that 


220  trKE  PIONEERS. 

reason,  I  always  use  a  single  ball,  even  if  it  be  at  a  bird  or  a 
squirrel.  Besides^  it  saves  lead ;  for,  when  a  body  knows  how 
to  shoot,  one  piece  of  lead  is  enough  for  all,  except  hard-lived 
animals. 

The  Sheriff  heard  these  opinions  \vith  great  indignation  ; 
and  when  he  completed  the  las:  arrangement  for  the  divi- 
sion, by  carrying,  with  his  own  hands,  a  trout  of  a  large 
size,  and  placing  it  on  four  different  piles  in  succession,  as 
his  vacillating  ideas  of  justice  required,  he  gave  vent  to  his 
spleen. 

"  A  very  pretty  confederacy,  indeed  !  Judge  Temple,  the 
landlord  and  owner  of  a  township,  with  Nathaniel  Bumppo,  a 
lawless  squatter  and  professed  deer-killer,  in  order  to  preserve 
the  game  of  the  county  1  But,  'duke,  when  I  fish,  I  hsh  ;  so, 
away,  bovs,  for  another  haul,  and  we'll  send  out  waggons  and 
carts  in  tne  morning  to  bring  in  our  prizes." 

Marmaduke  appeared  to  understand  that  all  opposition  to  the 
will  of  the  Sheriff  would  be  useless  ;  and  he  strolled  from  the 
fire  to  the  place  where  the  canoe  of  the  hunters  lay,  whither  the 
ladies  and  Oliver  Edwards  had  already  preceded  him. 

Curiosity  induced  the  females  to  approach  this  spot ;  but  it 
was  a  different  motive  that  led  the  youth  thither.  Elizabeth 
examined  the  light  ashen  timbers  and  thin  bark  covering  of  the 
canoe,  in  admiration  of  its  neat  but  simple  execution,  and  with 
wonder  that  any  human  being  could  be  so  daring  as  to  trust 
his  life  in  so  frail  a  vessel.  But  the  youth  explained  to  her 
the  buoyant  properties  of  the  boat,  and  its  perfect  safety  when 
under  proper  management :  adding,  in  such  glowing  terms,  a 
description,  of  the  manner  in  which  the  fish  were  struck  with  the 
•spear,  that  she  changed  suddenly,  from  an  apprehension  of  the 
danger  of  the  excursion,  to  a  desire  to  participate  in  its  pleasures. 
She  even,  ventured  a  proposition  to  that  effect  to  her  father, 
laughing  at  the  same  time  at  her  own  wish,  and  accusing  herself 
of  acting  under  a  woman's  caprice. 

.  "  Say  not  so,  Bess,"  returned  the  Judge  :  "  I  would  have  you 
above  the  idle  fears  of  a  silly  girl.  These  canoes  are  the  safest 
kind  of  boats  to  those  who  have  skill  and  steady  nerves.  I  have 
crossed  the  broadest  part  of  the  Oneida  in  one  much  smaller  than 
this.*' 

"•And  I  the  Ontary,"  interrupted  the  Leather-stocking  j  "  and 
that  with  squaws  in  the  canoe,  too.  But  the  Delaware  women 
are  used  to  the  paddle,  and  are  good  hands  in  a  boat  of  this 
nater.  If  the  young  lady  would  like  to  see  an  old  man  strike  a 
trout  for  his  breakfast,  she  is  welcome  to  a  seat.  Jolin  will  say 
the  same,  seeing  that  he  built  the  canoe,  which  was  only  launched 
yesterday  ;  for  I'juiTiot  over  curous  at  such  small  work  as  brooms, 
and  basket-making,  and  othci»-like  Indian  trades." 


Natty  gave  Elizabeth  one  of  hi*  oiguificaul  Uuglu,  with  a 
kind  nod  of  the  head,  when  he  concluded  liU  invitation  :  but 
Mbhegan,  with  the  native  grace  of  an  Indian,  approached,  and 
taking  her  soft  white  1*»  '  into  hiu  own  swarthy  and  wrinkled 
palm,  said, — 

"Come,  grand-daughter  of  Miquon,  and  John  will  "be  glad. 
Trust  the  Indian :  his  head  is  old,  though  his  hand  is  not 
steady.  The  young  !&>»-  \ill  go,  and  sec  that  no  harm  hurta 
his  sister." 

"Mr.  Edwards,"  said  Elizabeth,  blushing  slightly,  "your 
friend  Mohegan  has  given  a  promise  for  you.  Do  you  redeem 
the  pledge  ?'y 

"  With  my  life,  if  necessary,  Miss  Tejuple,"  cried  the-  youth, 
with  fervour.  "The  Eight  is  worth  some  little  apprehension; 
for  of  real  danger  there  i«  none.  1  will  go  with  you  and  Mua 
Grant,  however,  to  save  appearances." 

"With  me!"  exclaimed  Louisa.  "No,  nut  with  me,  Mr. 
Ed\vards ;  nor,  surely,  do  you  mean  to  trust  yourself  in  that 
blight  canoe." 

"  Bu 1 1  shall ;  for  I  have  no  apprehensions  any  longer,"  taid 
Elizabeth,  stepping  into  the  boat,  and  taking  a  seat  where  the 
Indian  directed.  '*  Mr.  Edwards,  you  may  remain,  as  three  do 
.-ecm  to  be  enough  for  such  an  egg-shell." 

"I  shall  hold  a  fourth,"  cued  the  young^  man,  springing  to  her 
side,  with  a  violence  that  nearly  btiook  the  weak  fabnc  of  the 
vessel  asunder.  "  rardon  me",  Miss  Temple,  that  I  do  not  permit 
these  venerable  Charons  to  take  you  to  the  shades  unattended  by 
your  genius." 

"  Is  it  a  good  or  evil  spirit  ? "  asked  Elizabeth. 

11  Good  to  you." 

"And  mine,"  added  the  maiden,  with  an  air  that  strangely 
blended  pique  with  satisfaction.  But  the  motion  of  the  canoe 
gave  rise  to  new  ideas,  and  fortunately  aiibrded  a  good  exctu*  to 
the  young  man  to  change  the  discourse. 

It  appeared  to  Elizabeth  that  they  glided  over  the  water  by 
magic,  so  easy  anU  graceful  was  the  manner  in,  which  Mohegar. 
guided  his  little  bark.  A  slight  gesture  with  his  *pcur  indicatt-c 
the  way  in  which  the  Leather-slocking  wished  to  go,  and  a  pro- 
found sileuce  was  preserved  by  the  whole  party,  as  a  precaution 
necessary  to  the  success  of  their  fishery.  At  that  point  of  the 
hike  the  water  shoaled  regularly,  differing,  in  this  particular, 
altogether  from  those  parts  where  the  mountains  rose,  neaily  in 
perpendicular  precipices,  from  the  beach.  There,  the  largest 
vessels  could  have  lain,  wilh  their  yards  interlocked  with  the 
pines ;  while  here,  a  scanty  growth  of  rushes  lifted  their  tons 
above  the  lake,  gently  curling  the  waters,  as  their  bending  heads 
waved  with  the  passing  breath  of  the-  night  air.  It  was  at  the 


£22  THE  PIONEERS. 

shallow  points  only  that  the  bass  could  be  found,  or  the  net  oast 
\vith  success. 

Elizabeth  t-aw  thousands  of  these  fish  swimming  in  shoals 
along  the  shallow  and  warm  waters  of  the  shore  ;  for  the  flaring 
light  of  their  torch  laid  bare  the  mysteries  of  the  lake,  as  plainly 
as  if  the  limpid  sheet  of  the  Otscgo  was  but  another  atmosphere. 
Every  instant  she  expected  to  see  the  impending  spear  of  Leaiher- 
stocking  darting  into  the  thronging  hosts  that  were  rushing 
beneath  her,  where  it  would  seem  that  a  blow  could  not  go  amiss  ; 
and  where,  as  her  father  had  already  said,  the  prize  that  would  be 
obtained  was  worthy  any  epicure.  But  Natty  had  his  peculiar 
habits,  and,  it  would  seem,  his  peculiar  tastes  also.  His  tall 
stature,  and  his  erect  posture,  enabled  him  to  see  much  further 
than  those  who  were  seated  in  the  bottom  of  the  canoe  ;  and  he 
turned  his  head  warily,  in  every  direction,  frequently  bending 
his  body  forward,  and  straining  his  vision,  as  if  desirous  of 

Eenetrating    the    water    that    surrounded    their    boundary    of 
ght     At    length    his    anxious    scrutiny  was  rewarded  with 
success,  and,  waving  his   spear  from  the  shore,  he  said  in  a 
cautious  tone, — 

"  Send  her  outside  the  bass,  John ;  I  see  a  laker  there,  that 
has  run  out  of  the  school.  It's  seldom  one  finds  such  a  creater 
in  shallow  water,  where  a  spear  can  touch  it." 

Mohegan  gave  a  wave  of  assent  with  his  hand,  and  in  the  next 
instant  the  canoe  was  without  the  "  run  of  the  bacs,"  and  in  water 
nearly  twenty  feet  in  depth.  A  few  additional  knots  were  laid 
on  the  grating,  and  the  light  penetrated  to  the  bottom.  Elizabeth 
then  saw  a  fish  of  unusual  size,  floating  above  small  pieces  of 
logs  and  sticks.  The  animal  was  only  distinguishable,  at  that 
distance,  by  a  slight  but  almost  imperceptible  motion  of  its  fins 
and  tail.  The  curiosity  excited  by  this  unusual  exposure  of  the 
secrets  of  the  lake  seemed  to  be  mutual  between  the  heiress  of  the 
land  and  the  lord  of  these  waters,  for  the  "  salmon-trout "  soon 
announced  his  interest  by  raising  his  head  and  body,  for  a  few 
degrees  above  a  horizontal  line,  and  then  drooping  them  again 
into  a  horizontal  position. 

"  Whist  1  whist  1 "  said  Natty,  in  a  low  voice,  on  hearing  a 
slight  sound  made  by  Elizabeth,  in  bending  over  the  side  of  the 
canoe,  in,  curiosity  ; — "  'tis  a  skeary  animal,  and  ilfe  a  far  stroke 
for  a  spear.  My  handle  is  but  fourteen  foot,  and  the  creater  lies 
a  good  eighteen  from  the  top  of  the  water  ;  but  Til  try  him,  for 
he  s  a  ten-pounder." 

While  speaking,  the  Leather-stocking  was  poising  and  directing 
his  weapon.  Elizabeth  saw  the  bright,  polished  tine^,  as  they 
slowly  and  silently  entered  the  water,  where  the  refraction  pointed 
-them  many  decrees  from  the  true  direction  of  the  fish  ;  and  £he 
^thought  that  the  intended  victim  eaw  them  also,  as  he  seemed  to 


THE  PIONEERS.  223 

increase  the  play  of  his  tail  and  fin?,  though  without  moving  his 
station.  At  the  next  instant,  the  tall  body  of  Natty  bent  to  the 
water's  edge,  and  the  handle  of  his  bpear  disappeared  in  the  lake. 
The  long,  dark  streak  of  the  gliding  weapon,  and  the  little 
bubbling  vortex,  which  followed  its  rapid  flight,  were  easily  to  be 
seen  ;  but  it  was  not  until  the  handle  shot  again  into  the  air,  by 
its  own  reaction,  and  its  master,  catching  it  in  his  hand,  threw 
its  tines  uppermost,  that  Elizabeth  was  acquainted  with  the 
success  of  the  blow.  A  fish  of  great  size  was  transfixed  by  the 
barbed  steel,  and  was  very  soon  shaken  from  its  impaled  situation 
into  the  bottom  of  the  cauoe. 

"That  will  do,  John,"  said  Natty,  raising  his  prize  by  one  of 
his  fingers,  and  exhibiting  it  before  the  torch  ;  "  I  shall  not  strike 
another  blow  to-night" 

The  Indian  again  waved  his  hand,  and  replied  with  the  simple 
and  energetic  monosyllable  of, — 

"Good." 

Elizabeth  was  awakened  from  the  trance  created  by  this 
scene,  and  by  gazing  in  that  unusual  manner  at  the  bottom 
of  the  lake,  by  the  hoarse  sounds  of  Benjamin's  voice,  and  the 
dashing  of  oars,  as  the  heavier  boat  of  the  seine  -  drawers 
approached  the  spot  where  the  canoe  lay,  dragging  after  it  the 
folds  of  the  net. 

"  Haul  off,  haul  off,  Master  Bumppo,"  cried  Benjamin  ;  "  your 
top-light  frightens  the  fish,  who  see  the  net  and  sheer  off  sound- 
ings. A  fish  knows  as  much  as  a  horse,  or,  for  that  matter, 
more,  seeing  that  it's  brought  up  on  the  water.  Haul  off, 
Master  Bumppo,  haul  off,  I  say,  and  give  a  wide  berth  to  the 
•ieine." 

Mohegan  guided  their  little  canoe  to  a  point  where  the  move- 
ments of  the  fishermen  could  be  observed  without  intcrntption. 
to  the  business,  and  then  suffered  it  to  lie  quietly  on  the  water, 
looking  like  an  imaginary  vessel  floating  in  air.  There  appeared 
to  be  much  ill-humour  among  the  party  in  the  batteau,  for  the 
directions  of  Benjamin  were  not  only  frequent,  but  issued  in  a 
voice  that  partook  largely  of  dissatisfaction. 

"  Pull  larboard  oar,  will  ye,  Master  Kirby  1 "  cried  the  old 
seaman ;  "Pull  larboard  best.  It  would  puzzle  the  oldest 
admiral  in  tiie  British  fleet  to  cast  this  here  net  fair,  with  a  wake 
like  a  corkscrew.  Pull  starboard,  boy,  pull  star  board  "oar,  with 
a  will." 

"Harkee,  Mister  Pump,"  said  Kirby,  ceasing  to  row,  and 
speaking  with  some  spirit ;  "  I'm  a  man  that  likes  civil  language 
and  decent  treatment,  such  as  is  right  'twixt  man  and  man.  If 
you  want  us  to  go  hoy,  say  so,  and  hoy  I'll  go,  for  the  benefit  of 
the  company  ;  but  I'm  not  used  to  being  ordered  about  like  dumb 
cattle." 


£24  TEE  PIONEERS. 

"Who's  dumb  cattle?"  echoed  Benjamin  fieively,  turning 
his  forbidding  face  to  the  glare  of  light  from  the  canoe,  and 
exhibiting  every  feature  teeming  with  the  expression  of  di.«gust. 
"  If  you  want  to  come  aft  and  cun  the  boat  round,  come  and 
be  damned,  and  pretty  steerage  you'll  make  of  it  There's  bvit 
another  heave  of  the  net  in  the  stern-sheets,  and  we're  clear 
of  the  thing.  Give  way,  will  ye?  and  shoot  her  ahead  for 
a  fathom  or  two,  and  if  you  catch  me  afloat  again  with  siu-h 
,1  horse-marine  as  yourself,  why,  rate  me  a  ship's  jackass,  that's 
.-ill." 

Probably  encouraged  by  the  prospect  of  a  speedy  terrain  at  iou 
to  his  labour,  the  wood-chopper  resumed  his  oar  and,  undei 
strong  excitement,  gave  a  stroke,  that  not  only  cleared  the  boat 
of  the  net,  but  of  the  steward,  at  the 'same  instant.  Benjamin 
had  stood  on  the  little  platform  that  held  the  seine,  in  the  stern 
of  the  boat,  and  the  violent  whirl  occasioned  by  the  vigour  of 
the  wood-chopper's  arm  completely  destroyed  hia  balance.  The 
position  of  the  lights  rendered  objects  In  the  batteau  distinguish- 
able, both  from  the  canoe  and  the  shore  and  the  heavy  fall  on 
the  water  drew  all  eyes  to  the  steward,  as  he  lay  struggling  for  a 
moment  in  sight. 

A  loud  burst  of  merriment,  to  which  the  lungs  of  Kirby  con- 
tributed no  small  part,  broke  out  like  a  chorus  of  laughter,  and 
rung  along  the  eastern  mountain  in  echoes,  until  it  died  away 
in  distant,  mocking  mirth,  among  the  rocks  and  woods.  The 
body  of  the  steward  was  seen  slowly  to  disappear,  as  was  ex- 
pected ;  Jbut  when  the  light  wa.es,  which  had  been  raised  by  his 
fall,  began  to  sink  in  calmness,  and  the  water  finally  closed  over 
his  head,  unbroken  and  still,  a  very  different  feeling  pervaded 
the  spectators 

"How  fare  you,  Benjamin?"  shouted  Richard  from  the 
shore. 

"The  dumb  devil  can't  swim  a  stroke!"  exclaimed  Kiiby, 
rising,  and  beginning  to  throw  aside  his  clothes. 

"  Paddle  up,  Mohegan,"  cried  young  Edwards,  "the  light  will 
show  us  where  he  lies,  and  I  wi  1  dive  for  the  body." 

"  Oh  !  save  him  !  for  God's  sake,  pave  him  ! "  exclaimed 
Elizabeth,  bowing  her  head  on  the  side  of  the  canoe  in 
horror. 

A  powerful  aud  dexterous  sweep  of  Mohegnu's  paddle  sent 
the  canoe  directly  over  the  spot  where  the  steward  had  fallen, 
and  a  loud  sho  it  from  the  Leather-stocking  announced  that  ho 
eaw  the  body. 

tt  Steady  the  boat  while  I  dive,"  again  ciied  Edwards. 

"  Gently,  lad,  gently,"  said  Natty ;  "  I'll  spear  the  creater  up 
in  half  the  time,  and  no  risk  to  anybody." 

The  form  of  Benjamin  was  lying,  about  half  way  to  the  bottom, 


I1 


THE  PIONEERS.  225 

.rasping  with  both  hands  some  broken  rushes.  The  blood  of 
ili^abeth  curdled  to  her  heart,  as  she  saw  the  figure  of  a  fellow- 
creature  thus  extended  under  an  immense  sheet  of  water,  appa- 
rently in  motion,  by  the  undulations  of  the  dying  waves,  with  its 
face  and  hands,  viewed  by  that  light,  and  through  the  medium 
of  the  fluid,  already  coloured  with  hues  like  death. 

At  the  same  instant,  she  saw  the  shining  tmes  of  Hatty's  spear 
approaching  the  head  of  the  sufferer,  and  entwining  themselves-, 
rapidly  and  dexterously,  in  the  hairs  of  his  queue  and  the  cape 
of  his  coat.  The  body  was  now  raised  slowly,  looking  ghastly 
and  grim,  as  its  features  turned  upward  to  the  light  and  ap- 
proached the  purface.  The  arrival  of  the  nostrils  of  Benjamin 
into  their  own  atmosphere,  was  announced  by  a  breathing  that 
would  have  done  credit  to  a  porpoise.  For  a  moment  Natty 
held  the  steward  suspended,  with  his  head  just  above  the 
water,  while  his  eyes  slowly  opened  and  stared  about  him, 
as  if  he  thought  that  he  had  reached  a  new  and  unexplored 
country. 

As  all  the  parties  acted  and  spoke  together,  much  less  time 
was  consumed  in  the  occurrence  of  these  events,  than  in  their 
narration.  To  bring  the  batteau  to  the  end  of  the  spear,  and  to 
raise  the  form  of  Benjamin  into  the  boat,  and  for  the  whole 
party  to  gain  the  shore,  required  but  a  minute.  Kjrby,  aided  by 
Richard,  whose  anxiety  induced  him  to  run  into  the  water  to 
meet  his  favourite  assistant,  carried  the  motionless  steward  up 
the  bank,  and  seated  him  before  the  fire,  while  the  Sheriff  pro- 
ceeded to  order  the  most  approved  measures  then  in  use  for  the 
resuscitation  of  the  drowned. 

"Run,  Billy,"  he  cried,  "to  the  village,  and  bring  up  the  rum- 
hogshead  that  lies  before  the  door,  in  which  I  am  making 
vinegar,  and  -be  quick,  boy,  don't  stay  to  empty  th«  vinegar ; 
and  stop  at  Mr.  Le  Quoi's,  and  b«y  paper  of  tobacco  and  naif 
a  dozen  pipes ;  and  ask  Remarkable  for  some  salt,  and  one  of 
her  flannel  petticoats  ;  and  ask  Dr.  Todd  to  send  his  lancet,  and 
to  come  himself  :  and  —  ha  1  duke,  what  are  you  about  1 
would  you  strangle  a  man  who  is  full  of  water,  by  giving 
him  rum  !  Help  me  to  open  his  hand,  that  I  may  pat  it." 

All  this  time  Benjamin  sat,  with  bis  muscles  fixed,  his  mouth 
shut,  and  his  hands  clenching  the  rushes,  which  he  had  seized 
in  the  confusion  of  the  moment,  and  which,  as  he  held  fast,  like 
a  true  seaman,  had  been  the  means  of  preventing  his  body  from 
rising  again  to  the  surface.  His  eyes,  nowever,  were  open,  and 
stared  wildly  on  the  group  about  the  fire  while  his  lungs  were 
playing  like  a  blacksmith  a  bellows,  as  if  to  compensate  them- 
selves for  the  minute  of  inaction  to  which  they  had  been  sub- 
jected. As  he  kept  his  lips  compressed,  with  a  most  inveterate 
determination,  the  air  was  compelled  to  pass  through  his  nostrils, 


"228  THE  PIONEERS. 

and  he  rather  snorted  than  breathed,  and  in  ench  a  manner,  that 
nothing  but  the  excessive  agitation  of  the  Sheriff  could  at  all 
justify  his  precipitous  orders. 

The  bottle,  applied  to  the  steward's  lips  by  Marmadukc,  acted 
like  a  charm.  His  toouth  opened  instinctively  ;  his  hands 
dropped  the  rushes,  and  seized  the  glass  j  his  eyes  raised  from 
their  horizontal  stare  to  the  heavens  ;  and  the  whole  man  was 
lost,  for  a  moment,  in  a  new  sensation.  Unhappily  for  the 
propensity  of  the  steward,  breath  was  as  necessary  after  one  of 
these  draughts,  as  after  his  submersion,  and  the  time  at  length 
arrived  when  he  was  compelled  to  let  go  the  bottle. 

"  Why,  Benjamin  !  "  "roared  the-  Sheriff ;  "  you  amaze  me  1  for 
a  man  of  your  experience  in  drowmngs  to  act  so  foolishly  !  just 
now,  you  were  half  full  of  water,  and  now  you  are '' —  . 

"  Full  of  grog,"  interrupted  the  steward,  his  features  settling 
down,  with  amazing  flexibility,  into  their  natural  economy. 
"  But,  d'ye  see,  Squire,  I  kept  my  hatches  close,  and  it  is  but 
little  water  that  ever  gets  into  my  scuttle-butt.  Harkee,  Master 
Kirbyl  I've  followed  the  salt  water  for  the  better  part  of  a 
man's  life,  and  have  seen  some  navigation  on  the  fresh  ;  but  this 
here  matter  I  will  say  in  your  favour,  and  that  is,  that  you're 
the  awk'ardest  green'un  that  ever  straddled  a  boat's  thwart. 
Them  that  likes  you  for  a  shipmate,  may  sail  with  you  and  no 
thanks  ;  but  dam  me  if  I  even  walk  on  the  lake  shore  in  your 
company.  For  why  ?  you'd  as  lief  drown  a  man  as  one  of  them 
there  fish  ;  not  to  throw  a  Christian  creature  so  much  as  a  rope's 
end,  when  he  was  adrift,  and  no  life-buoy  in  sight  I — Natty 
Bumppo,  give  us  your  fist.  There's  them  that  says  you're  an 
Indian,  and  a  scalper,  but  you've  sarved  me  a  good  turn,  and 
you  may  set  me  down  for  a  friend  ;  tho'f  it  would  have  been 
more  ship-shape  to  lower  the  bight  of  a  rope,  or  running  bow- 
line, below  me,  than  to  seize  an  old  seaman  by  his  head-lanyard  ; 
but  I  suppose  you  are  used  to  taking  men  by  the  hair,  and  seeing 
you  did  me  good  instead  of  harm  thereby,  why,  it  s  the  same 
thing,  d'ye  see." 

Marmaduke  prevented  any  reply,  and  assuming  the  direction 
of  matters  with  a  "dignity  and  discretion  that  at  once  silenced 
all  opposition  from  his  cousin,  Benjamin  was  despatched  to  the 
village  by  land,  and  the  net  was  hauled  to  shore  in  such  a 
manner  ihat  the  fish,  for  once,  escaped  its  meshes  with  im 
punity. 

The  division  of  the  spoils  was  made  in  the  ordinary  manner, 
by  placing  one  of  the  party  with  his  back  to  the  game,  who 
named  the  owner  of  each.  pile.  Billy  Kirby  stretched  his  large 
frame  on  the  grass,  by  the  side  of  the  fire,  as  sentinel  until 
morning,  over  net  and  fish  ;  and  the  remainder  of  the  party 
embarked  in  the  batteau,  to  return  to  the  village. 


TEE  PIONEERS.  227 

The  wood-chopper  was  seen  broiling  his  supper  on  the  coals, 
as  they  lost  sight  of  the  fire ;  and  when  the  boat  approached  the 
shore,  the  tore  a  of  Mohegan's  canoe  was  shining  again  under  the 
gloom  of  the  eastern  mountain.  Its  motion  ceased  suddenly  ;  a 
scattering  of  brands  was  in  the  air,  and  then  all  remained  dark 
as  the  conjunction  of  night,  forest,  and  mountain  could  render 
the  scene. 

The  thoughts  of  Elizabeth  wandered  from  the  youth,  who  was 
holding  a  canopy  of  ehawls  over  herself  and  Louisa,  to  the  hunter 
and  the  Indian  warrior ;  and  she  felt  an  awakening  curiosity  to 
visit  a  hut  where  men  of  such  different  habits  and  temperament 
were  •urfcwn  together,  as  by  common  impulse. 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

Cease  all  this  parlance  about  hills  and  dales ; 

None  listen  to  thy  scenes  of  boyish  frolic. 

Fond  dotard !  with  such  tickled  ears  aa  thou  dost ; 

Come  I  to  thy  tale.  Duo. 

MR.  JONES  arose,  on  the  following  morning,  with  the  sun,  and 
ordering  his  own  and  Marmaduke's  steeds  to  be  saddled,  he  pro- 
ceeded, with  a  countenance  big  with  some  business  of  unusual 
moment,  to  the  apartment  of  the  Judge.  The  door  was  un- 
fastened, and  Richard  entered  with  the  freedom  that  character- 
ised not  only  the  intercourse  between  the  cousin%^^ut  the 
ordinary  manners  of  the  Sheriff. 

"  Well,  'duke,  to  horse,"  he  cried,  "  and  I  will  explain  to  you 
my  meaning  in  the  allusions  I  made  last  night.  David  says,  in 
the  Psalms — no,  it  wag  Solomon,  but  it  was  all  in  the  family — 
Solomon  said,  there  was  a  time  for  all  things  ;  and  in  my  humble 
opinion,  a  Ashing  party  is  not  the  moment  for  discussing  im- 
portant subjects.— Ha !  why,  what  the  devil  ails  you,  Marma- 
duke  ?  an't  you  well  ?  let  me  feel  your  pulse :  my  grandfather, 
you  know  " — 

"Quite  well  in  the  body,  Richard,"  interrupted  the  Judge, 
repulsing  his  cousin,  who  was  about  to  assume  the  functions  that 
properly  belong  to  Dr.  Todd ;  "  but  ill  at  heart.  I  received 
tetters  by  the  post  of  kst  night,  after  we  returned  from  the  point, 
and  thia  among  the  number." 

The  Sheriff  took  the  letter,  but  without  turning  his  eyes  on 
the  writing,  for  he  was  examining  the  appearance  of  the  other 
with  astonishment.  From  the  face  of  his  cousin  the  gaze  of 
Richard  wandered  to  the  table,  which  was  covered  with  letters, 
packets,  and  newspapers  ;  then  to  the  apartment,  and  all  that  it 
contained.  On  the.  bed  there  was  the  impression  that  had  been 
made  by  a  human  form,  but  the  coverings  were  unmoved,  and 
everything  indicated  that  the  occupant  of  the  room  had  passed  a 
sleepless  night  The  candles  had  burned  to  the  sockets,  and  had 
evidently  extinguished  themselves  in  their  own  fragments.  Mar- 
m?duke  had  drawn  his  curtains,  and  opened  both  the  shutters 
and  the  sashes,  to  admit  the  balmy  air  of  a  spring  morning  ;  but 
bi»  pale  cheek,  his  quivering  lip,  and  his  sunken  eye,  presented, 


THE  PIONEERS.  220 

altogether,  so  very  different  ail  appearance  from  tho  usual  calm, 
manly,  and  cheerful  aspect  of  the  Judge,  that  the  Sheriff  grew 
each  moment  more  and  more  bewildered  with  astonishment.  At 
length  Richard  found  time  to  cast  his  eyes  on  the  direction  of 
the  letter,  which  he  still  held  unopened,  crumpling  it  in  his  hand. 

"What!  a  ship-letter  1 "  he  exclaimed  :  "and  from  England  I 
ha  I  'duke,  here  must  be  news  of  importance  indeed  1 " 

"Read  it,"  said  Marmaduke,  pacing  the  floor  in  excessive 
agitation. 

Richard,  who  commonly  thought  alouel,  was  unable  to  rcaa  a 
letter  without  suffering  part  01  its  contents  to  escape  him  in 
audible  sounds.  So  much  of  the  epistle  as  was  divulged  in  that 
manner,  we  shall  lay  before  the  reader,  accomoamed  by  thp 
passing  remarks  of  the  Sheriff : — 

"'London,  February  12,  1793.'  What  a  devil  of  a  passage 
she  had  !  but  the  wind  has  been  north-west  for  six  weeks,  until 
within  tlie  last  fortnight. 

"'Sir,  your  favours  of  August  10th,  September  23rd,  and  of 
December  1st,  were  received  in  due  season,  and  the  first  answered 
by  return  of  packet.  Since  the  receipt  of  tho  last,  I'" — Here 
a  long  passage  Avas  rendered  indistinct,  by  a  kind  of  humming 
noiae  made  by  the  Sheriff.  "'I  grieve  to  say,  that' — hum,  hum, 
bad  enough,  to  be  sure — '  but  trust  that  a  merciful  Providence 
has  seen  fit' — hum,  hum,  hum  ;  seems  to  be  a  good  pious  sort  ot 
a  man,  'duke ;  belongs  to  the  Established  Chuich,  I  dare  say ; 
hum,  hum — 'vessel  sailed  from  Falmouth  on  or  about  the  1st 
September  of  last  year,  and' — hum,  hum,  hum.  'If  anything 
should  transpire  on  this  afflicting  subject,  shall  not  fail'— hum, 
hum  ;  really  a  good-hearted  man,  for  a  lawyer, — 'but  can  com- 
municate nothing  further  at  present' — hum,  hum.  "The  national 
convention' — hum,  hum — 'unfortunate  Louis' — hum,  hum — 
'example  of  your  Washington' — a  very  sensible  man,  I  declare, 
and  none  of  your  crazy  democrats.  Hum,  hum — 'our  gallant 
navy ' — hum,  hum — '  under  our  most  excellent  monarch ' — ay,  a 
good  man  enough,  that  King  George,  but  bad  advisers ;  hum, 
hum — 'I  beg  to  conclude  with  assurances  of  my  perfect  respect' 
— hum,  hum — 'ANDREW  HOLT.' — Andrew  Holt — a  very  sensible, 
feeling  man,  this  Mr.  Andrew  Holt  —  but  the  writer  of  evil 
tiding  What  will  you  do  next,  cousin  Marmaduke  1 " 

"  What  can  I  do,  Richard,  but  trust  to  time  and  the  will  of 
heaven  ?  Here  is  another  letter,  from  Connecticut,  but  it  only 
repeats  the  substance  of  the  last.  There  is  but  one  consoling 
reflection  to  be  gathered  from  tho  English  news,  which  is,  thnt 
my  last  letter  was  received  by  him  before  the  ship  sailed." 

"  This  is  bad  enough,  indeed  I  'duke,  bad  enough,  indeed  ! 
and  away  go  all  my  plans  of  putting  winga  to  _the  house  to  tho 
devil  I  had  made  arrangements  for  a  ride,  to  introduce  you  to 


230  r?HE  PIONEERS. 

something  of  a  verv  important  nature.    You  know  fcofr  touch 
you  think  of  mines  — 

"  Talk  not  of  mines,"  interrupted  the  J  udge ;  K  there  is  a 
sacred  duty  to  be  performed,  and  that  without  delay.  I  must 
devote  this  day  to  writing ;  and  thou  must  be  my  assistant, 
Richard ;  it  will  not  do  to  employ  Oliver  in  a  matter  of  euch 
secrecy  and  interest." 

"  No,  no,  'duke,"  cried  the  Sheriff,  squeezing  his  hand  ;  "  I  am 
your  man,  just  now ;  we  are  sisters'  children,  and  Hood,  al'k-r 
all,  is  the  best  cement  to  make  friendship  stick  together.  Well, 
well,  there  is  no  hurry  about  the  silver  mine,  just  now  ;  another 
time  will  do  as  welL  We  shall  want  Dirky  Van,  I  suppose  ? " 

Marmaduke  assented  to  this  indirect  question,  and  the  Sheriff 
relinquished  all  his  intentions  on  the  subject  of  the  ride,  anl 
repairing  to  the  breakfast  parlour,  he  despatched  a  messenger  ;  .< 
require  the  immediate  presence  of  Dirck  Van  der  School. 

The  village  of  Templetou,  at  that  time,  supported  but  two 
lawyers,  one  of  whom  was  introduced  to  our  readers  in  the  bar 
room  of  the  "  Bold  Dragoon,"  and  the  other  was  the  gentleman 
of*  whom  Richard  spoke,  by  the  friendly  yet  familiar  apj  eliatv  u 
of  Dirck,  or  Dirky  Van.  Great  good  nature,  a  very  tolerable 
share  of  skill  in  his  profession,  and,  considering  the  011.11111 
stances,  no  contemptible  degree  of  honesty,  were  the  principal 
ingredients  in  the  character  of  this  man,  who  was  known  to  tii 
settlers  as  Squire  Van  der  School,  and  sometimes  by  the  flattering 
though  anomalous  title  of  the  "Dutch,"  or  "honest  la\v;yei ;' 
We  would  not  wish  to  mislead  our  readers  in  their  conceptions 
i  f  afcy  of  our  characters,  and  we  therefore  feel  it  necessary  to  add, 
that  the  adjective,  in  the  preceding  agnomen  of  Mr.  Van  der 
School,  was  used  in  direct  reference  to  its  substantive,  Our 
t  rthodox  friends  need  not  be  told,  that  all  merit  in  this  world  13 
comparative  ,  and,  once  for  all,  we  desire  to  say,  that  where  any- 
thing which  involves  qualities  or  character-  is  asserted,  we  must 
be  understood  to  mean,  "  under  the  circumstances." 

During  the  remainder  of  the  day  the  Judge  was  closeted  with 
his  cousin  and  his  lawyer  ;  and  no  one  else  was  admitted  to  hi? 
apartment,  excepting  l.is  daughter.  The  deep  distress,  that  EC 
evidently  affl'cted  Mar  naduke,  was  in  some  measure  communi- 
cated to  Elizabeth  also  ;  for  a  .ook  of  dejection  shadsd  hci 
intelligent  features,  and  the  buoyancy  of  her  animated  spirits  was 
sensibly  softened.  Once  on  that  day,  young  Edwards,  who 
was  a  wondering  and  observant  spectator  01  the  sudden  alteration 
produced  in  the  heads  of  the  family,  detected  a  tear  stealing  ovr-r 
tha  cheek  of  Elizabeth,  and  euifusing  her  bright  eyes  with  a 
softness  that  did  not  always  belong  to  their  expression. 

"Have  any  evil  tidings  been  received,  Miss  Temple  I"  he 
inquired,  with  an  interest  »»'1  voic«  that  caused  Louisa  Grant  to 


H£  P10NKKR&  231 


Taiso  her  head  from  her  needlework,  with  JDL  cruidawa^  at  which 
ehc  instantly  blushed  herself.  "I  would  oner  my  servicca  to 
yx»ur  fatker,  If,  as  I  suspect,  he  needs  an,  agent  in  jsonie^^distani 
place,  and  I  thought  it  would  give  you  reliel" 

"We  have  certainly  heard   had  news,"   returned    Elizabeth, 

anu  it  may  be  nercssary  that  my  father  should  leaye  home  for 

a  short  period  ;  unless  I  can  persuade  him   to  trust  my  cousin 

Kichard  with  the  business,  whose  absence  from  the-couniiy,  just 

at-  this  time,  too,  might  be  inexpedient." 

The  youth  paused  a  moment,  and  the  blood,  gathered  slowlyta 
Jiid  temples,  as  he  continued^— 

"  If  it  be  of  a  nature  that  I  could  execute*^- 

"  It  is  8iich  as  can  oidy  be  confided  to  one  we  jcnow  —  one  o^ 
ourselves." 

"Surely  you  know  UK-,  ML>s,  Temple  J*  he  added,  with  4 
"warmth  that  he  seldom  exhibited,  but  wuich  did  sometiineiie.'jca]^ 
him  in  the  moments  of  their  frank  communications.  —  "Haye  I 
lived  five  months  under  your  roof  to  be  a  stranger  ?  " 

Elizabeth  was  engaged  with  her  needle  also,  and  she  bent  hx-f 
head  to  one  side,  aJfecting  to  arrange  her  muslin  ;  but  her  haud 
shook,  her  colour  heightened,  and  her  eyed  lost  their  moisture  in, 
an  expression  of  ungovernable  interest,  as  she  said,  — 

"  How  much  do  we  know  of  you.  Mr.  Edwards?" 

"llow  much  I"  echoed  the  youth,  gazing  from  the  speaker  to 
the  mild  countenance  of  Louisa,  that  was  also  illuminated  with 
curiosity  ;  "how  much  !  have  I  been  so  long  an  Inmate  with, 
you,  and  not  known  1  " 

The  head  of  Eli/abeth  turned  slowly  from  its  affected  position, 
and  the  look^of  coufusion  that  had  blended  so  strongly  with  an. 
expression  of  interest  changed  to  a  smile. 

"  We  know  you,  sir,  indeed  :  you  are  called  Mr.  Qlrver 
Edwards.  I  understand  that  you  have  informed  my  friend^ 
Misd  Grant,  that  you  are  a  native  "  — 

"  Elizabeth  1  "  exclaimed  Louisa,  blushing  to  the  eyes  ana 
trembling  like  an  aspen;  "you  niisundei'stood  me,  dear  Miss 
Temple  ;  I  —  I  —  it  was  only  conjecture.  Besides,  if  Mr.  Edwards 
is  related  to  the  natives,  why  should  we  reproach  him  ?  In 
v/hat  are  we  better  ?  at  least  I,  who  am  the  child  of  a  poor  and 
unsettled  clergyman  ?  " 

Elizabeth  shook  her  head  doubtingly,  and  even  langhed,  but 
made  no  reply  until  observing  the  melancholy~which  pervaded 
the  countenance  of  her  companion,  who  was  thinking  of  the 
poverty  and  labours  of  her  fatner,  she  continued,  — 

"  Nay,  Louisa,  humility  carries  you  too  far.    The  daughter  of 
A  minister  of  the  church  can  have  no  superiors.     Neither  I  Jicr 
Mr.  Edwards  is  quite  your  equal,  unless,"  she  added,  a^ain  cr  . 
."he  is  in  secret  a  king." 


*3ft  THE  PIONEERS. 

"A  faithful  servant  of  the  King  of  kings,  Miss  Temple,  IB 
inferior  to  none  on  earth,"  sajcl  Louisa  ;  "  but  his  honours  are  his 
own  ;  I  am  only  the  child  of  a  poor  and  friendless  man,  and  can 
claim  no  other  distinction.  Why,  then,  should  I  feel  myself 
elevated  above  Mr.  Edwards,  because — because^perhaps  he  is 
only  very,  very  distantly  related  to  John  Mobeganl" 

Glances  of  a  very  comprehensive  meaning  were  exchanged 
between  the  heiress  and  tne  young  man,  as  Louisa  ^betrayed, 
wliile  vindicating  his  lineage,  the  reluctance  with  which  she 
admitted  his  alliance  to  the  old  warrior ;  but  not  even  a  smile  at 
the  simplicity  of  their  companion  was  indulged  by  either. 

"  On  reflection,  I  must  acknowledge  that  my  situation  here  u 
somewhat  equivocal,"  said  Edwards,  "  though  I  may  be  said  to 
have  purchased  it  with  my  blood." 

"  The  blood,  too,  of  one  of  the  native  lords  of  the  soil  1 " 
cried  Elizabeth,  who  evidently  put  little  faith  in  his  aboriginal 
descent. 

"  Do  I  bear  the  marks  of  my  lineage  so  very  plainly  impressed 
on  my  appearance  ?  I  am  dark,  but  not  very  red — not  more  so 
than  common  ? " 

"  Rather  more  so,  just  now." 

"  I  am  sure,  Miss  Temple,"  cried  Louisa,  "  you  cannot  have 
taken  inuch  notice  of  Mr.  Edwards.  His  eyes  are  not  so  black 
as  ilohegan's,  or  even  your  own,  nor  is  his  hair  ! " 

"  Very  possibly,  then,  I  can  lay  claim  to  the  same  descent  It 
would  be  a  great  relief  to  my  mind  to  think  so,  for  I  own  that  I 
grieve  when  I  see  old  Mohegan  walking  about  these  lands,  like 
the  ghost  of  one  of  their  ancient  possessors,  and  feet  how  small  is 
uiy  own  right  to  possess  them." 

"  Do  you  ? "  cried  the  youth  with  a  vehemence  that  startled 
the  ladies. 

"  I  do,  indeed,"  returned  Elizabeth,  after  suffering  a  moment 
to  pasa  in  surprise  ;  "  but  what  can  1  do  ?  what  can  my  father  do  ? 
Should  we  ofler  the  old  man  a  home  and  a  maintenance,  his  habits 
would  compel  him  to  refuse  us.  Neither,  were  we  so  silly  as  to 
wish  such  a  thing,  could  we  convert  these  clearings  and  fanws 
again  into  hunting-grounds,  as  the  Leather-stocking  would  wish 
to  seo  them.." 

M  You  epuak  the  truth,  Miss  Temple,"  said  Edwards.  "  What 
can  you  do,  indeed  !  But  there  is  one  thing  that  I  am  certain 
you  can  and  will  do,  when  you  become  the  mistress  of  theso 
beautiful  valleys — use  your  wealth  with  indulgence  to  the  poor- 
and  charity  to  the  needy  ;— indeed,  vou  can  do  no  more." 

u  And  that  will  bo  doing  a  good  deal,"  said  Louisa,  smiling  in 
her  turn.  ,"  But  there  will,  doubtless,  be  one  to  take  the  direction 
of  euch  things  from  her  hands." 

"  I  am  not  about  to  disclaim  matrimony,  like  a  eilly  girl,  who 


THE  PIONEERS.  233 

dreams  of  nothing  else  from  morning  till  night ;  but  I  am  a  nun, 
here,  without  the  vow  of  celibacy.  Where  should  I  find  a  hus- 
band, in  these  forests  ? " 

"There  i$  none,  Miss  Temple,"  said  Edwards  quickly,  "there 
is  none  who  has  a  right  to  aspire  to  you,  and  I  know  that  you 
will  wait  to  be  sought  by  your  equal ;  or  die,  as  you  live,  loved, 
respected,  and  admired  by  all  who  know  you." 

The  young  man  seemea  to  think  that  he  had  paid  all  that  waa 
required  by  gallantry,  for  he  arose,  and  taking  his  hat,  hurried 
from  the  apartment.  Perhaps  Louisa  thought  that  ho  had  paid 
more  than  was  necessary,  for  slip  sighed  with  an  aspiration  so  low 
that  it  was  scarcely  audible  to  herself,  and  bent  her  head  over 
her  work  again.  And  it  is  possible  that  Miss  Temple  wished  to 
hear  more,  for  her  eyes  continued  fixed  for  a  minute  on  the  door 
through  which  the  young  man  had  passed,  then  glanced  quickly 
towards  her  companion,  when  the  longc  silence  that  succeeded, 
manifested  how  much  zest  may  be  given  to  the  conversation  of 
two  maidens  under  eighteen,  by  the  presence  of  a  youth  of  three- 
and-twenty. 

The  first  person  encountered  by.  Mr.  Edwards,  as  he  rather 
rushed  than  walked  from  the  house,  was  the  little  square-built 
lawyer,  with  a  large  bundle  of  papers  under  his  arm,  a  pair  of 
green  spectacles  on  his  nose,  with  glasses  at  the  sides,  as  if  to 
multiply  his  power  of  detecting  frauds,  by  additional  organs  of 
vision. 

Mr.  Van  der  School  was  a  well-educated  man,  but  of  slow 
comprehension,  who  had  imbibed  a  wariness  in  his  speeches  and 
actions,  from  having  suffered  by  his  collisions  with  his  more 
mercurial  and  apt  brethren  who  had  laid"  the  foundations  of  their 
practice  in  the  eastern  courts,  and  who  had  sucked  in  shrewd- 
ness with  their  mother's  milk.  The  caution  of  this  gentleman 
was  exhibited  in  his  acti9ns,  by  the  utmost  method  and  punctu- 
ality, tinctured  with  a  good  deal  of  timidity  ;  and  in  his  speeches,' 
by  a  parenthetical  style,  that  frequently  left  to  his  auditors  a 
long  search  after  his  meaning. 

"A  good  morning  to  you,  Mr.  Van  dcr  School,"  said 
Edwards;  "it  seems  to  be  a  busy  day  with  us  at  the  Mansion- 
house." 

"Good  morning,  Mr.  Edwards  (if  that  is  your  name, — for,  being 
a  stranger,  we  have  no  other  evidence  of  the  fact  than  your  own 
testimony, — as  I  understand  you  have  given  it  to  Judge  Temple), 
good  morning,  sir.  It  is,  apparently,  a  busy  day  (but  a  man  of 
your  discretion  need  not  be  told, — having,  doubtless,  discovered 
it  of  your  own  accord, — that  appearances  are  often  deceitful),  up 
at  the  Mansion-house." 

"  Have  you  papers  of  consequence,  that  will  reqnire  copying  ? 
can  I  be  of  assistance  in  any  way  ? " 


231  THE  PIONEERS. 

'  There  are  papers  (as  doubtless  you  see — for  your  eyc^  arc 
young— by  the  nullifies),  that  require  copying." 

"Well,  then,  I  will  accompany  you  to  your  office,  and  receive 
such  as  arc  most  needed,  and  by  night  I  shall  h.ive  them  done,  if 
there  be  much  haste." 

"  T  shall  be  always  plad  to  see  you,  sir,  at  my  office  (as  in  duty 
hound, — not  that  it  is  obligatory  to  receive  any  man  within  your 
dwelling — unless  so  inclined — which  is  a  castle — according  to  the 
forms  of  politeness),  or  at  any  other  place  ;  but  the  papers  are 
more  strictly  confidential  (and  as  such,  cannot  be  read  by  any 
one),  unless  60  directed  (by  Judge  Temple's  solemn  injunctions), 
and  arc  invisible  to  all  eyes  ;  excepting  those  whose  duties  (l 
mean  assumed  dulics)  require  it  of  them." 

"Well,  sir,  as  I  perceive  that  I  can  be  of  no  service,  I  wish  you 
another  good  morning  ;  but  beg  you  will  remember,  that  I  am 
quite  idle  just  now,  and  lavish  you  would  intimate  as  much  to 
Judge  Temple,  and  make  him  a  tender  of  my  services,  in  any  part 
of  the  world  ;  unless — unless — it  be  far  from  Templeton." 

"  I  will  make  the  communication,  sir,  in  your  name  (with 
your  own  qualifications),  as  your  agent.  Good  morning,  sir.— 
feut  stay  proceedings,  Mr.  Edwards  (so  called),  for  a  moment,' 
Do  you  wish  me  to  state  the  offer  of  travelling,  as  a  final  contract! 
(for  which  consideration  has  been  received,  at  former  dates  (by 
sums  advanced),  which  would  be  binding),  or  as"a  tender  of 
serviaes  for  which  compensation  is  to  be  paid  (according  to 
future  agreement  between  the  parties)  on  performance  of  the 
conditions?" 

"Any  way,  any  way,"  said  Edwards-  "he  seems  in  distress, 
and  I  would  assist  him." 

"The  motive  is  good,  sir  (according  to  appearances  (which  are 
often  deceitful),  on  first  impressions),  and  does  you  honour.  1 
will  mention  your  wish,  young  gentleman  (as  you  now  peem), 
and  will  not  fail  to  communicate  the  answer,  by  five  o'clock  P.M. 
of  this  present  day  (God  willing),  if  you  give  me  an  opportunity 
so  to  do." 

The  ambiguous  nature  of  the  situation  and  character  of  Mr. 
Edwards  had  rendered  him  an  object  of  peculiar  suspicion  to  the 
lawyer,  and  the  youth  was  consequently  too  much  accustomed  to 
similar  equivocal  and  guarded  speeches  to  feel  anj'  unusual 
disgust  at  the  present  dialogue.  He  saw,  at  once,  that  it  was  the 
intention  of  the  practitioner  to  conceal  the  nature  of  his  business, 
even  from  the  private  secretary  of  Judge  Temple  ;  and  he  know 
too  well  the  difficulty  of  comprehending  the  meaning  of  Mr. 
Van  der  School,  when  the  gentleman  most  wished  to  be  luminous 
in  his  discourse,  not  to  abandon  all  thoughts  of  a  discover)',  when 
he  perceived  that  the  attorney  was  endeavouring  to  avoid  any- 
thing like  an  approach  to  a  cross-examination.  They  parted  at 


<THE  PIONEERS.  235 

the  gate,  the  lawyer  walking,  with  an  important  and  hurried  air, 
towards  his  office,  keeping  his  right  liana  firmly  clenched  on  the 
bundle  of  papers. 

It  must  have  been  obvious  to  all  our  readers  that  the  youth 
entertained  an  unusual  and  deeply  seated  prejudice  against  the 
character  of  the  Judge  ;  but,  owing  to  some  counteracting  cause, 
his  sensations  were  now  those  of  powerful  interest  in  the  state 
of  his  patron's  present  feelings,  and  in  the  cause  of  his  secret 
uneasiness. 

He  remained  gazing  after  the  lawyer,  until  the  door  closed  on 
both  the  bearer  and  the  mysterious  packet,  when  he  returned 
slowly  to  the  dwelling,  and  endeavoured  to  forget'  his  curiosity 
in  the  usual  avocations  of  his  office. 

When  the  Judge  made  his  re-appearance  in  the  circles  of  his 
family,  his  cheerfulness  was  tempered  by  a  shade  of  melancholy 
that  lingered  for  many  days  around  his  manly  brow  ;  but  the 
magical  progression  of  the  season  arou-sed  him  from  his  temporary 
apathy,  and  his  smiles  returned  with  the  summer. 

The  heats  of  the  days,  and  the  frequent  occurrence  of  balmy1 
showers,  had  completed,  in  an  incredibly  short  period,  the  growth 
of  plants,  Which,  the  lingering  spring  had  so  long  retarded  in  the 
germ  ;  and  the  woods  presented  every  shade  of  green  that  the 
American  forests  know.  The  stumps  in  the  cleared  fields  were 
already  hid  beneath  the  wheat  that  was  waving  with  every 
breath  of  the  summer  air,  shining,  and  changing  its  huca  like 
velvet. 

During  the  continuance  of  his  cousin's  dejection,  Mr.  Jones 
forbore,  with  much  consideration,  to  press  on  his  attention  a 
business  that  each  hour  was  drawing  nearer  to  the  heart  of  the 
Sheriff,  and  which,  if  any  opinion  could  be  fo"rmed  by  his  frequent 
private  conferences  with  the  man  who  was  introduced  in  these 
pages  by  the  name  of  Jotham,  at  the  bar-room  of  the  Bold 
Dragoon,  was  becoming  also  of  great  importance. 

At  length  the  Sheriff  ventured  to  allude  again  to  the  subject ; 
and  one  evening,  in  the  beginning  of  July,  Marmaduka  made 
him  a  promise  of  devoting  the  following  day  to  the  desim1 
excursion. 


CHAPTER   XXVL 

Speak  on,  my  dearest  father  I 
Thy  words  are  like  the  breezes  of  the  west.  JILMAH. 

IT  was  a  mild  and  soft  morning,  when  Marmaduke  and  Richard 
mounted  their  horses,  to  proceed  on  the  expedition  that  had  so 
long  been  uppermost  in  the  thoughts  of  the  latter  :  and  Elizabeth 
and  Louisa  appeared  at  the  same  instant  in  the  hall,  attired  for 
an  excursion  on  foot 

The  head  of  Miss  Grant  was  covered  by  a  neat  little  hat  of 
green  silk,  and  her  modest  eyes  peered  from  under  its  shade 
with  the  soft  languor  that  characterised  her  whole  appearance ; 
but  Misa  Temple  trod  her  father's  wide  apartments  with  the  step 
of  their  mistress,  holding  in  her  hand,  dangling  by  one  of  its 
ribands,  the  gipsy  that  was  to  conceal  the  glossy  locks  that  curled 
around  her  polished  forehead  in  rich  profusion. 

"  What  1  are  you  for  a  walk,  Bess  ? "  cried  the  Judge,  sus- 
pending his  movements  for  a  moment,  to  smile,  with  a  father's 
Fondness,  at  the  display  of  womanly  grace  and  beauty  that  his 
child  presented.  "  Remember  the  heats  of  July,  my  daughter ; 
nor  venture  further  than  thou  canst  retrace  before  the  meridian. 
Where  is  thy  parasol,  girl  ?  thou  wilt  lose  the  polish  of  that  brow, 
under  this  sun  and  southern  breeze,  unless  thou  guard  it  with 
unusual  care." 

MI  shall  then  dp  more"  honour  to  my  connections,"  returned 
the  smiling  daughter.  "  Cousin  Richard  has  a  bloom  that  any 
lady  might  envy.  At  present  the  resemblance  between  us 
is  so  trifling,  that  no  stranger  would  know  tis  to  be  'sisters' 
children.'" 

"Grand-children,  you  mean,  cousin  Bess,"  said  the  Sheriff. 
"  But  on,  Judge  Temple  ;  time  and  tide  wait  for  no  man  5  and  if 
you  take  my  counsel,  sir,  in  twelve  months  from  this  day  you  may 
make  an  umbrella  for  your  daughter  of  her  camel's  hair  shawl 
and  have  its  frame  of  solid  silver.  I  ask  nothing  for  inysell; 
Vluke  ;  you  have  been  a  good  friend  to  me  already  ;  besides,  all 
that  I  have  will  go  to  Bess,  there,  one  of  these  melancholy  days, 
ao  it's  as  long  as  it's  short,  whether  I  or  you  leave  it  But  we 
have  a  day's  ride  before  ws,  sir;  so  move  forward,  or  dismount, 
und  say  you  won't  go,  at  once." 


THK  PIONEERS.  287 

'•jfltience,  palience,  Dickon,"  returned  the  Judge,  checking 
hi*  horse,  and  turning  again  to  his  daughter.  "If  thouart  for 
the  mountains,  Invc,  stray  not  too  deep  into'  the  forest,  F  entreat 
llicc  ;  for,  though  it  is  dono  often  with  impunity,  there  ia  some- 
times danger." 

"  Not  at  this  wason,  I  believe,  sir,"  said,  Elizabeth  ;  "  for,  I 
will  confess,  it  is  the  intention  of  Louisa  and  myself  to  stroll 
among  tlio  hills." 

"  Less  at  this  peason  than  in  the  winter,  dear ;  but  still  there 
may  be  danger  in  venturing  too  far.  But  though  thou  art 
resolute,  Elizabeth,  thou  art  too  much  like  thy  mother  not  to  be 
prudent." 

The  eyes  of  the  parent  turned  reluctantly  from  his  child,  and 
the  Judge  and  Sheriff  rode  slowly  through  the  gateway,  and 
disappeared  among  the  buildxngn  of  the  village. 

During  this  short  dialogue,  young  Edwards  ttood,  an  attentive 
listener,  holding  in  his  hand  n  fishing-rod,  the  day  and  the  season 
having  tempted  him  also  to  desert  the  house  for  the  pleasure  of 
exercise  in  the  air.  AA  the  equestrians  turned  through  the  gate, 
he  approached  the  /oung  females,  who  were  already  moving 
towards  the  street,  and  was  about  to  address  them,  as  Louisa 
paused,  and  said  quickly, — 

"  Mr.  Edwards  would  speak  to  us,  Elizabeth." 

The  other  stopped  also,  and  turned  to  the  youth,  politely,  but 
with  a  slight  coldness  in  her  air,  that  sensibly'  checked  the 
freedom  with  which  he  had  approached  them. 

"Your  father  is  not  pleasea  that  you  should  walk  unattended 
in  the  hills,  Miss  Temple.  If  I  might  offer  myself  as  a  pro- 
tector"— 

"  Does  my  father  select  Mr.  Oliver  Edwards  as  the  organ  of  his 
displeasure?"  interrupted  the  lady. 

"  Good  heaven  1  you  misunderstood  my  meaning ;  I  should 
have  said  uneasy,  for  not  pleased.  I  am  his  servant,  madam,  and 
in  consequence  yours.  I  repeat  that,  with  your  consent,  I  will 
change  my  rod  for  a  fowling-piece,  and  keep  nigh  you  on  the 
mountain." 

"  I  thank  you,  Mr.  Edwards ;  but  where  there  is  no  danger, 
no  protection  is  required.  We  are  not  yet  reduced  to  wandering 
among  these  free  hills  accompanied  by  a  bodyguard.  If  such  a 
one  is  necessary,  there  he  if,  nowever.  Here,  JBrave, — Brave, — 
my  noble  Brave  1" 

The  huge  mastiff  that  has  been  already  mentioned  appeared 
from  his  kennel,  gaping  and  stretching  himself,  with  pampered 
laziness ;  bat  as  his  mistress  again  called-1-"  Come,  dear  Brave; 
tmce  have  you  served  your  master  well ;  let  us  see  how  you  can 
'to  your  duty  by  his  daughter" — the  dog  wagged  his  tail,  as  if  he 
understood  her  language,  walked  with  a  stately  gait  to  her  side, 


238  THE  PIONEERS. 

where  he  seated  himself,  find  looked  up  at  her  face,  wnn  an  in- 
telligence but  little  inferior  to  that  which  beamed  in  her  own 
lovely  countenance. 

She  resumed  her  walk,  but  again  praisod,  after  a  few  steps,  and 
added,  in  tones  of  conciliation, — 

"  You  can  be  serving  us  equally,  and,  1  presume,  more  agree- 
ably to  yourself,  Mr.  Edwards,  by  bringing  us  a  string  of  your 
favourite  perch  for  the  dinner-table." 

When  they  again  began  to  walk,  Miss  Temple  did  not  look  back 
to  see  how  the  youth  bora  this  repulse  ;  but  the  head  of  Louisa 
was  turned  several  times  before  they  reached  the  gate  on  that 
considerate  errand. 

"I  am  afraid,  Elizabeth,"  she  said,  "that  we  have  mortified 
(Miver.  He  is  still  standing  where  we  left  him,  leaning  on  his 
rod.  Perhaps  he  thinks  us  proud." 

"He  thinks  justly,"  exclaimed  Miss  Temple,  as  if  awakened 
from  a  deep  musing  ;  "he  thinks  justly,  then.  We  are  too  proud 
to  admit  of  such  particular  attentions  from  a  young  man  in  an 
equivocal  situation.  What  1  make  him  the  companion  of  our 
most  private  walks  1  It  is  pride,  Louisa,  but  it  is  the  t>ride  of 
a  woman." 

It  was  several  minutes  before  Oliver  aroused  himself  from  the 
abstracted  position  in  which  he  was  standing  when  Louisa  last 
saw  him  ;  but  when  he  did,  he  muttered  something  rapidly  and 
incoherently,  and  throwing  his  rod  over  his  shoulder,  he  strode 
down  the  walk,  through  the  gate,  and  along  one  of  the  streets  of 
the  village,  until  he  reached  the  lake  shore,  with  the  air  of  an 
emperor.  At  this  spot  boats  were  kept  for  the  use  of  Judge 
Temple  and  his  family.  The  young  man  threw  himself  into  a 
light  skiff,  and  seizing  the  oars,  he  sent  it  across  the  lake  towards 
the  hut  of  Leather-stocking,  with  a  pair  of  vigorous  arms.  By 
the  time  he  had  rowed  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  his  reflections  were 
less  bitter  ;  and  when  he  saw  the  bushes  that  lined  the  shore  in 
front  of  Hatty's  habitation  gliding  by  him  as  if  they  possessed 
the  motion  which  proceeded  from  his  own  efforts,  he  was  quite 
cooled  in  mind,  though  somewhat  heated  in  body.  It  is  quite 
possible  that  the  very  same  reason  which  guided  the  conduct  of 
Miss  Temple  suggested  itself  to  a  man  of  the  breeding  and  edu- 
cation of  the  youth;  and  it  is  very  certain,  that  if  such  \rere 
the  case,  Elizabeth  rose  instead  of  falling  in  the  estimation  of 
Mr.  Edwards. 

The  oars  were  now  raised  from  the  water,  and  the  boat  shot 
close  in  to  the  land,  where  it  lay  gently  agitated  by  waves  of  its 
own  creating,  while  the  young  man,  fir=t  casting  a  cautious  and 
searching  glance  around  him  in  every  direction,  put  a  small 
whistle  to  his  mouth,  and  blew  a  long,  phrill  note,  that  rung 
among  the  echoing  rocks  behind  the  hut  At  thi«  alarm,  the 


THE  PIONEERS.  2TC 

hounds  of  Natty  meted  out  of  their  bark  kennel,  and  com- 
menced their  long,  piteous  howls,  leaping  about  as  if  half  franbio. 
though  restrained  T>y  the  leashes  of  buckskin  by  which  they 
were  fastened. 

"  Quiet,  Hector,  quiet,"  said  Oliver,  again  applying  his  whistle 
to  hia  mouth,  and  drawing  out  notes  still  more  shrill  than  before. 
No  reply  was  made,  the  dogs  having  returned  to  their  kcnnol  at 
the  pounds  of  his  voice. 

Edwards  pulled  the  bows  of  the  boat  on  the  nhore,  and  land 
ing,  ascended  the  beach,  and  approached  the  door  of  the  cabin 
The  fastenings  were  soort  undone,  and  he  entered,  closing  the 
door  after  him,  when  all  was  as  silent  in  that  retired  ppot  as  ii 
flic  foot  of  man  had  never  trod  the  wilderness.  The  sounds  ol 
the  hammers  that  were  in  incessant  motion  in  the  village  wero 
faintly  heard  across  tbo  water  ;  but  the  dogs  had  crouched  into 
their  lairs,  satisfied  that  none  but  the  privileged  had  approached 
the  forbidden  ground. 

A  quarter  of  an  hour  elapsed  before  the  youth  reappeared, 
when  ne  fastened  the  floor  again,  and  spoke  kindly  to  the  hounds. 
The  dogs  came  out  at  the  well-known  tones,  and  the  plut  jumped 
upon  hia  person,  whining  and  barking  as  if  entreating  Oliver  to 
release  her  from  prison.  But  old  Hector  raised  his  nose  to  the 
light  current  of  air,  and  opened  a  long  howl  that  might  have 
l>een  heard. for  a  mile. 

"Ha  1  what  do  you  scent,  old  veteran  of  the  woods?"  cried 
Edwards.  "  If  a  beast,  it  is  a  lx)ld  one ;  and  if  a  man,  an 
impudent." 

He  sprung  through  tho  top  of  a  pine  that  had  fallen  near  the 
pide  of  the  hut,  and  ascended  a  small  hillock  that  phc-ltercd  the 
cabin  to  tho  south,  where  he  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  formal 
figure  of  Hiram  Doolittle  as  it  vanished  with  unusual  rapidity 
for  the  architect  amid  the  bushes. 

"  \Yhat  can  that  fellow  be  wanting  here  ? "  muttered  Oliver 
"  He  has  no  business  in  this  quarter,  unless  it  be  curiosity,  which 
i«  an  endemic  in  these  woods.  But  against  that  I  will  effectually 
guard,  though  the  dogs  should  take  a  liking  to  his  ugly  visage, 
and  let  him  pass."  The  youth  returned  to  the  door,  while  giving 
vent  to  this  soliloquy,  and  completed  tho  fastenings  by  placing 
a  email  chain  through  a  staple,  and  securing  it  there  by  a 
padlock.  "He  is  a  pettifogger,  and  purely  must  know  that  there 
is  such  a  thing  as  feloniously  breaking  into  a  man's  house." 

Apparently  well  .-atisfied  with  this  arrangement,  the  youth 
again  spoke  to  the  hounds  ;  and,  descending  to  the  shore,  he 
launched  his  boat,  and  taking  up  Irs  oars,  pulled  off  into  th« 
lake. 

There  were  several  places  in  the  Otsego  that  were  celebrated 
fishing-ground  for  perch.  One  was  nearly  opposite  to  the  cabin, 


•4<r  THE  r  i  ONE  Ens. 

and  another,  still  more  famous,  was  near  a  point,  at  the  distance 
of  a  mile  and  a  half  above  it,  under  the  brow  of  the  mountain, 
and  on  the  same  side  of  the  lake  with  the  hut  Oliver  Edwards 
pulled  his  little  skiff  to  the  first,  and  sat  for  a  minute  undecided 
whether  to  continue  there,  with  his  eyes  on  the  door  of  the  cabin, 
or  to  change  hi*  ground  with  a  view  to  get  superior  game.  While 
gazing  about  him,  he  saw  the  light-coloured  bark  canoe  of  his 
old  companions,  riding  on  the  water,  at  the  point  we  have  men- 
tioned, and  containing  two  figures  that  he  at  once  knew  to  be 
Mohcgan  and  tho  Leather-stocking.  This  decided  the  matter, 
nnd  the  youth  pulled,  in  a  ver^  few  minutes,  to  the  place  where 
hi"  friend*  were  fishing,  and  fastened  his  boat  to  the  light  vessel 
of  the  Indian. 

The  old  men  received  Oliver  with  welcoming  nods,  but  neither 
drew  his  line  from  the  water,  nor  in  the  least  varied  his  occu- 
pation. When  Edwards  had  secured  his  own  boat,  he  baited  his 
Look  and  threw  it  into  the  lake  without  speaking. 

"  Did  you  stop  at  the  wigwam,  lad,  as  you  rowed  pa«t  ?"  asked 
Natty. 

"  Yes,  and  I  found  all  safe  ;  but  that  carpenter  and  justice  of 
the  peace,  Mr.,  or,  as  they  call  him,  Squire  Doolittle,  was  prowl- 
ing through  the  woods.  I  made  sure  of  the  door  before  I  left 
the  hut,  and  I  think  he  is  too  great  a  coward  to  approach  the 
hounds." 

"  There's  little  to  be  paid  in  favour  of  that  man,"  said  Natty, 
while  he  drew  in  a  perch  and  baited  his  hook.  "  He  craves 
dreadfully  to  come  into  the  cabin,  and  has  as  good  as  asked  mo 
as  much  to  my  face  ;  but  I  put  him  off  with  unsartaiu  answers, 
so  that  he  is.  no  wiser  than  Solomon.  This  comes  of  having  so 
many  laws  that  such  a  man  may  be  called  on  to  intarpret 
them." 

"I  fear  he  is  more  knave  than  fool,"  cried  Edwards;  "he 
makes  a  tool  of  that  simple  man,  the  Sheriff ;  and  I  dread  that 
his  impertinent  curiosity  may  yet  give  us  much  trouble." 

"If  ne  harbours  too  much  about  the  cabin,  lad,  111  shoot  the 
creator,"  said  the  Leather-stocking,  quite  simply. 

"  No,  no,  Natty,  you  must  remember  the  law."  said  Edwards, 
"  or  we  shall  have  you  in  trouble  ;^  and  that,  ola  man,  would  be 
an  evil  day,  and  sore  tidings  to  us  all." 

"  Would  it,  boy  t "  exclaimed  the  hunter,  raising  his  eyes  with 
a  look  of  friendly  interest  towards  the  youth.  "  You  havo  the 
true  blood  in  your  veins,  Mr.  Oliver  ;  and  I'll  support  it  to  the 
face  of  Judge  Temple,  or  in  any  court  in  the  country.  How  is 
it,  John  ?  Do  I  speak  the  true  word  ?  Is  the  lad  staunch,  and 
of  the  right  blood?" 

"He  is  a  Delaware,"  said  llohegan,  "and  my  brother.  The 
young  Eagle  is  brave,  and  he  will  be  a  chief.  No  harm  can  come." 


THE  PIONEERS.  241 

"  Well,  well,"  died  the  youth  impatiently,  cay  no  more  about 
it,  my  good  friends ;  if  I  am  not  all  that  your  partiality  would 
make  me,  I  am  yours  through  life— in  prosperity  as  in  poverty. 
We  will  talk  of  other  mattuis." 

The  old  hunters  yielded  to  his  wish,  whick  seemed  to  be  their 
luw.  For  a  short  time  a  profound  silence  prevailed,  during 
which  each  man  was  very  busy  with  his  IIOOK  and  line  ;  but 
Edwards,  probably  feeling  that  it  remained  with  him  to  iviicw 
llie  discourse,  soon  observed  with  the  air  of  one  who  knew  not 
wh.it  he  said, — 

"  How  beautifully  tranquil  and  glassy  the  lake  is  !  Saw  you 
it  ever  more  calm  and  even  than  at  this  moment,  Natty  ?" 

"I  have  known  the  Otsego  water  for  live-ami- forty  years,' 
said  Leather-stocking ;  "  and  I  will  say  that  for  it,  which  is, 
that  a  cleaner  spring  or  better  fishing  is  not  to  be  found  in  the 
land.  Yes,  yes  ;  I  had  the  pkce  to  myself  once,  and  a  cheerful 
time  I  had  of  ii  The  game  was  plenty  as  heart  could  wish  ; 
and  there  was  none  to  meddle  with  the  ground  unless  there 
might  have  been  a  hunting  party  of  the  Delawares  crossing  the 
hills,  or,  maybe,  a  rifling  scout  of  them  thieves  the  Iroqttois. 
There  was  one  or  two  Frenchmen  that  squatted"  in  the  flats 
further  west,  and  married  squaws  ;  and  some  of  the"  Scotch 
Ii  ishers  from  the  Cherry  Valley  would  come  on  to  the  lake  and 
borrow  niy  canoe  to  take  a  mess  of  parch,  or  di-op  a  line  for  a 
balinon-trout ;  but,  in  the  main,  it  was  a  cheerful  pkce,  and  I 
had  but  little  to  disturb  me  in  it.  ,  John  would  come,  and  John 
knows." 

Mohegan  turned  his  dark  face  at  this  appeal ;  and,  moving 
his  hand  forward  with  a  graceful  motion  of  assent,  he  spoke, 
using  the  Delaware  language, — 

"  The  land  was  owned  by  my  people  ;  we  gave  it  to  my  brother 
in  council — to  the  Fire-eater  ;  and  what  the  Delawares  give  lasts 
as  long  as  the  waters  run.  Hawk-eye  smoked  at  that  council,  for 
we  loved  him." 

"  No,  no,  John,"  said  Xatty ;  "  I  was  no  chief,  seeing  that  I 
knoVd  nothing  of  scholarship,  and  had  a  white  skin.  But  it 
,was  a  comfortable  hunting  ground  then,  lad,  and  would  have 
been  so  to  this  day,  but  for  the  money  of  Marmaduke  Temple, 
and  the  twisty  ways  of  the  law." 

"  It  must  have  been  a  sight  of  melancholy  pleasure  indeed," 
said  Edwards,  while  hid  eye  roved  along  the  shores  and  over 
the  hills,  where  the  clearings,  groaning  with  the  golden  corn, 
wore  cheering  the  forest  with  the  signs  of  life,  "  to  have 
roamed  over  these  mountains,  and  along  this  sheet  of  beautiful 
water,  without  a  living  »oul  to  speak  to,  or  to  thwart  your 
humour." 

"  Haven't  1  said  it  was  cheevful  ? "   said    Leather- 


242  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  Ye?,  yes  ;  when  the  trees  began  to  be  covered  with  leaves,  and 
the  ice  waa  out  of  the  "ake,  it  was  a  second  paradist.  - 1  have 
travelled  the  woods  for  fifty-three  years,  and  have  iwde  them 
my  home  for  more  than  forty  ;  and  I  can  say  that  I  have  met 
but  one  place  that  was  more  to  my  liking ;  and  that  was  only 
to  eyesight,  and  not  for  hunting  or  fishing. 

"  And  where  was  that  1 "  asked  Edwards. 

"Where  !  why,  upon  the  Cattskills.  I  useu  often  to  go  up 
into  the  mountains  after  wolves'  skins  and  bears ;  once  they 
mid  me  to  get  them  a  stuffed  painter,  aiid  so  I  olten  wuiit. 
There's  a  place  in  them  hills  that  1  used  to  climb  to,  when  I 
wanted  to  seethe  carryings  on  of  the  world,  that  would  well  pay 
any  man  for  a  barked  shin  or  a  torn  mocassin.  You  know  the 
Catfeskills,  lad  ;  for  you  must  have  seen  them  on  your  left,  as 
you  followed  the  river  up  from  York,  looking  as  blue  as  a 
piece  of  clear  sky,  and  holding  the  clouds  on  their  tops,  as 
the  smoke  curls  over  the  head  of  an  Indian  chief  at  a  council 
fire.  Well,  there's  the  High-peak  and  the  Round-top,  which 
hay  back,  like  a  father  and  mother  aijiong  their  children, 
seeing  they  are  far  above  all  the  other  hills.  But  the  place  I 
mean  is  next  to  the  river,  where  one  of  the  ridges  j-uts  out  a  little 
from  the  rest,  and  where  the  rocks  fall,  for  the  best  part 
of  a  thousand  feet,  so  much  up  and  down,  that  a  man  standing 
on  their  edges  is  fool  enough  to  think  he  can  jump  from  top 
to  bottom." 

"  What  see  you  wuen  you  get  there  1 "  asked  Edwards. 

"  Creation,"  said  Natty,  dropping  the  end  of  his  rod  into  the 
water,  and  sweeping  one  hand  around  him  it.  a  circle :  "  all 
creation,  lad.  I  was  on  that  hill  when  Vaughau  burned  'Sopus, 
in  the  last  war ;  and  1  saw  the  vessels  come  out  of  the  High- 
lands as  plain  as  I  can  see  that  lime-scow  rowing  into  the 
Susquehanna,  though  one  was  twenty  times  further  from  me 
than  the  other.  The  river  was  in  sight  for  seventy  miles, 
looking  like  a  curled  shaving,  under  my  feet,  though  it  was 
eight  long  miles  to  its  banks.  I  saw  the  hills  in  the  Hampshire 
grants,  the  high  lands  of  the  river,  and  all  that  God  had  done  or 
man  coidd  do,  far  as  eye  could  reach — you  know  that  the 
Indians  named  me  for  my  sight,  lad  ;  and  from  the  flat  on  the 
top  of  that  mountain  I  have  often  found  the  place  where  Albany 
stands.  And  as  for  'Sopus,  the  day  the  royal  troops  burnt  tho 
town,  the  smoke  seemed  so  nigh,  that  I  thought  I  could  hear  the 
screeches  of  the  women." 

"It  must  have  been  worth  the  toil  to  meet  witu  BUCU  a 
glorious  view." 

"If  being  the  best  part  of  a  mile  in  the  air,  and  having 
men's  farms  and  housen  at  your  feet,  with  rivers  looking  like 
ribands,  and  mountains  bigger  than  the  'Vision,'  seeming  to 


TltK  PIuXEEltS.  343 

Iw  haystacks  of  green  grass  under  yon,  gives  any  satisfaction 
to  a  uiuu,  I  can  recommend  the  spot.  When  I  first  came  into 
tho  woods  to  live,  I  used  to  Lave  weak  snells  when  I  felt 
lonesome  ;  ami  then  I  would  go  iuto  the  Caltskills,  and  spend  a 
few  days  on  that  hill  to  look  at  the  ways  of  man  ;  but  it'a 
now  many  a  year  since  I  felt  any  such  longings,  and  I'm 
getting  too  old  for  rugged  rocks.  But  there's  a  place  a  short 
two  niilos  back  of  that  very  hill,  that  in  late  times  I  relished 
better  than  the  mountain :  for  it  was  more  covered  with  the 
trees,  and  uateral." 

"And  where  was  that?"  inquired  Edwards,  whose  curiosity 
was  strongly.,  excited  Jby  the  simple  description  of  the 
Lanter. 

"Why,  there's  a  fall  in  the  hills,  where  the  water  of  two 
little  ponds  that  lie  near  each  other  breaks  out  of  their  bounds, 
and  runs  over  the  rocks  into  the  valley.  The  stream  is,  maybe, 
such  a  one  as  would  turn  a  mill,  if  RO  useless  a  thing  was  wanted 
in  the  wilderness.  But  the  hand  that  made  that  *  Leap '  never 
made  a  mill.  There  the  water  comes  crooking  and  winding 
among  the  rocks  ;  first  so  slow  that  a  trout  could  swim  in  it,  and 
then  stalling  and  running  like  a  ereater  that  wanted  to  make 
a  far  spring,  till  it  gets  to  where  the  mountain  divides,  like  the 
clei't  hoof  of  a  deer,  leaving  a  deep  hollow  for  the  brook  to 
tumble  into.  The  first  pitch  is  nigh  two  hundred  feet,  and  the 
water  ^oks  like  flakes  of  driven  snow,  afore  it  touches  the 
bottom  ;  and  there  the  stream  gathers  itself  together  again  for  a 
new  start,  and  maybe  flutters  over  fifty  feet  of  flat  rock,  before 
it  falls  for  another  hundred,  when  it  jumps  about  from  shelf  to 
shelf,  first  turning  this-away  and  then  turning  that-away, 
striving  to  get  out  of  the  hollow,  till  it  finally  comes  to  the 
plaiji." 

"  I  have  never  heard  of  this  spot  before  :  it  is  not  mentioned 
in  the  books."  , 

"  I  never  read  a  book  in  my  life,"  said  Leather-stocking  ; 
"  and  how  should  a  man  who  has  lived  in  towns  and  schools 
know  anything  about  the  wonders  of  the  woods  ?  No,  no,  lad  ; 
there  has  that  little  stream  of  water  been  playing  among  the 
hills,  since  He  made  the  world,  and  not  a  dozen  white  men  have 
evur  laid  eyes  on  it.  The  rock  sweeps  like  mason-work,  in  a 
hall-round,  on  both  sides  of  tin;  fall,  and  shelves  over  the  bottom 
for  fifty  feet ;  so  that  when  I've  been  pitting  at  the  foot  of  the 
first  pitch,  and  my  hounds  have  run  into  the  caverns  behind 
the  sheet  of  water,  they've  looked  no  bigger  than  so  many 
rabbits.  To  my  judgment,  lad,  it's  tile  best  piece  of  work  that 
I've  met  with  in  the  woods  ;  and  none  know  now  often  the  hand 
of  Qcd  is  seen  in  a  wilderness,  but  them  that  rove  it  for  a 
01  au's  life." 


244  THE  PIONEERS. 

M  What  becomes  of  the  water  ?  In  which  direction  Joe*  i* 
fun  ?  Is  it  a  tributary  of  the  Delaware  1 " 

u  Anan  !  "  said  Natty. 

"  Does  the  water  ruu  into  the  Delaware  ? " 

"  No,  no  ;  it's  a  drop  for  the  old  Hudson,  and  a  merry  time  it 
has  till  it  gets  down  otf  the  mountain.  I've  sat  on  the  shelving 
rock  many  a  long  hour,  boy,  and  watched  the  bubbles  as  they 
shot  by  me,  and  thought  how  long  it  would  be  before  that  very 
water,  which  seemed  made  for  the  wilderness,  would  be  under 
the  bottom  of  a  vessel,  and  tossing  in  the  salt  sea.  It  is  a  spot 
to  make  a  man  solemnize.  You  can  sec  right  down  into  the 
valley  that  lies  to  the  east  of  the  High  Peak,  where  in  the  fall 
of  the  year,  thousands  of  acres  of  woods  are  before  your  eyes,  in 
the  deep  hollow,  and  along  the  side  of  the  mountain,  painted 
like  ten  thousand  rainbows,  by  no  hand  of  man,  though  without 
the  ordering  of  God's  providence." 

"  You  are  eloquent,  Leather-stocking,"  exclaimed  the  youth. 

"  A  nan  1 "  repeated  Natty. 

"The  recollection  of  the  sight  has  warmed  your  blood,  old 
man.  How  many  years  is  it  since  you  saw  the  place  ? " 

The  hunter  made  no  reply ;  but  bending  his  ear  near  the 
water,  he  eat  holding  his  breath,  and  li.steuinj'  attentively  as 
if  to  some  distant  sound.  At  length  he  raised  his  head,  and 
said, — 

*'  If  I  hadn't  fastened  the  hounds  with  my  own  hands,  with  a 
fresh  leash  of  green  buckskin,  I'd  take  a  Bible  oath  that  I  heard 
old  Hector  ringing  his  cry  on  the  mountain." 

**  It  is  impossible,"  said  Edwards  ;  "  it  is  not  an  hour  since  I 
saw  him  in  his  kenneL" 

By  this  time  the  attention  of  Molu-gan  was  attracted  to  the 
nounds ;  but,  notwithstanding  the  youth  was  both  silent  and 
attentive,  he  could  hear  nothing  but  the  lowing  of  some  cattle 
from  the  western  hills.  Ho  looked  at  the  old  men,  N«tly 
sitting  with  his  hand  to  his  tar,  like  a  trumpet,  and  Mohegau 
bending  forward,  with  an  arm  raised  to  a  level  with  his  lacp, 
holding  the  fore-finger  elevated  as  a  signal  for  attention,  and 
laughing  aloud  at  what  he  deemed  to  be  their  imaginary  sounds. 

"  Laugh  if  you  will,  boy,"  said  Leather-stocking,  "  the  hounds 
be  out,  and  are  hunting  a  deer.  No  man  can  deceive  me  in 
such  a  matter.  I  wouldn't  have  had  the  thing  happen  for  a 
beaver's  skin.  Not  that  I  care  for  the  law  !  but  the  venison  is 
lean  now,  and  the  dumb  things  run  the  tieah  off  their  own  bones 
for  no  good.  Now  do  you  hear  the  hounds  ? " 

Edwards  started,  as  a  full  cry  broke  on  his  ear,  changing  from 
the  distant  sounds  that  were  caused  by  some  intervening  hill,  to 
confused  echoes  that  rung  among  the  rocks  that  the  dogs  were 
and  then  directly  to  a  deep  and  hollow  baying  that 


THE  PIONEERS.  245 

pealed  under  the  forest  on  the  lake  shore.  These  variation*  in 
the  tones  of  the  hounds  passed  with  amazing  rapidity ;  and 
while  his  eyes  were  glancing  along  the  margin  of  the  water,  a 
tearing  of  the  branches  of  the  alder  and  dog-wood  caught  his 
attention,  at  a  spot  near  them,  and  at  the  next  moment  a  noble 
buck  sprang  on  tho  shore,  and  buried  himself  in  the  lake.  A 
full-mouthed  cry  followed,  when  Hector  and  the  slut  shot 
through  the  opening  in  the  bushes,  and  darted  into  the  lake 
also,  baring  their  breasts  gallantly  against  the  water. 


CHAPTER  XXVIL 

Oft  In  the  fun  descending  flood  he  tries 

To  lose  the  scent,  and  lave  Ms  burning  sides,  THOMSOR. 

*'I  KNOT^D  it— I  knowM  itl"  cried  Natty,  when  both  deer  and 
hounds  were  in-full  view  j — "  the  buck  has  gone  by  them  with 
the  wind,  and  it  has  been  too  much  for  the  poor  rogues  ;  but  I 
must  break  them  of  these  tricks,  or  they'll  give  me  a  deal  of 
trouble.  He-ere,  he-ere—shore  with  you,  rascals — shore  with 
you — will  ye  ? — Oh  1  off'  with  you,  old  Hector,  or  I'll  hatchel 
your  hide  with  my  ramrod  when  I  get  ye." 

The  dogs  knew  their  master's  voice,  and  after  swimming  in  a 
circle,  as  if  reluctant  to  give  over  the  chase,  and  yet  afraid  to 
persevere,  they  finally  obeyed,  and  returned  to  the  land,  where 
they  filled  the  air  with  their  cries. 

fn,  the  meantime  the  deer,  urged  by  his  fears,  had  swam  over 
half  the  distance  between  the  shore  and  the  boats,  before  his 
terror  permitted  him  to  see  the  new  danger.  But  at  the  sounds 
of  Hatty's  voice,  he  turned  short  in  his  course,  and  for  a  few 
moments  seemed  about  to  rush  back  again,  and  brave  the  dogs. 
His  retreat  in  this  direction  was,  however,  effectually  cut  off, 
and  turning  a  second  time,  he  urged  his  course  obliquely  for  the 
centre  of  the  lake,  with  an  intention  of  landing  on  the  western 
shore.  As  the  buck  swam  by  the  fishermen,  raising  his  nose 
high  into  the  air,  curling  the  water  before  his  slim  neck  like  tlie 
beak  of  a  galley,  the  Leather-stocking  began  to  sit  very  uneasy 
in  his  canoe. 

"  'Tis  a  noble  creator  t r  he  exclaimed  j  "  what  a  pair  of  horns  1 
A  man  might  hang  up  all  hia  garments  on  the  branches.  Let  me 
see — July  is  the  last  mouth,  and  the  flesh  must  be  getting 
good."  While  he  was  talking,  Natty  had  instinctively  employed 
himself  in  fastening  the  inner  end  of  the  bark  rope,  that  served 
him  for  a  cable,  to  a  paddle,  and  rising  suddenly  on  his  legs,  ha 
cast  this  buoy  away,  and  cried — "  Strike  out,  John  t  let  her  go. 
The  cr eater's  a  fool  to  tempt  a  man  in  this  way." 

Mohegan  threw  the  fastening  of  the  youth's  boat  from  tee 
canoe,  and  with  one  stroke  of  his  paddle  sent  the  light  bark  orer 
the  water  like  a  meteor. 

S4« 


THE  PIONEERS.  247 

"  Hold  !  "  exclaimed  Edwards.  "  Remember  the  law,  my  old 
friends.  Yon  are  in  plain  sight  of  the  village,  and  I  know 
that  Judge  Temple  is  determined  to  prosecute  all  indiscriminately, 
who  kill  deer  out  of  season." 

The  remonstrance  came  too  late  ;  the  canoe  was  already  far 
from  the  skilF,  and  the  two  hunters  were  too  much  engaged  in. 
the  pursuit  to  listen  to  his  voice. 

The  buck  was  now  within  fifty  yards  of  his  pursuers,  cutting 
tiic  water  gallantly,  and  snorting  at  each  breath  with  terror  and 
l.-io  L-XCI  lions,  while  the  canoe  seemed  to  dance  over  the  waves, 
•  it  rose  and  fell  with  the  undulations  made  by  its  own 
notion.  Leather-stocking  raised  his  rifle  and  freshened  the 
priming,  but  stood  in  suspense  whether  to  slay  his  victim 
or  not. 

"Shall  I,  John,  or  no?"  he  said.  "It  seems  but  a  poor 
advantage  to  take  of  the  dumb  thing  too.  I  won't;  it  haa 
taken  to  the  water  on  its  own  natur,  which  is  the  reason  that 
God  has  given  to  a  deer,  and  I'll  give  it  the  lake  play  ;  so, 
John,  lay  out  your  arm,  and  mind  the  turn  of  the  buck  ;  it's  easy 
to  catch  them,  but  they'll  turn  like  a  snake." 

The  Indian  laughed  at  the  conceit  of  his  friend,  but  continued 
to  send  the  canoe  forward  with  a  velocity  that  proceeded  much 
more  from  his  skill  than  his  strength.  Both  of  the  old  men  now 
used  the  language  of  the  Delawares  when  they  spoke. 

"  Hugh  !  "  exclaimed  Mohegan  r  "  the  deer  turns  his  head. 
Hawk-eye,  lift  your  spear." 

Natty  never  moved  abroad  without  taking  with  him  every 
implement  that  might,  by  possibility,  be  of  service  in  his  pur- 
suits. From  his  riile  he  nevei-  parted  ;  and  although  intending 
to  fish  with  the  line,  the  canuQ  was  invariably  furnished  with  all 
of  its  utensils,  even  to  its  gvat .'.  This  precaution  grew  out  of  th« 
habits  of  the  hunter,  who  was  often  led,  by  his  necessities  or  his 
sports,  far  beyond  the  limits  of  his  original  destination.  A  few 
years  earlier  than  the  date  of  our  tale  the  Leather-stocking  had 
left  his  hut  on  the  shores  of  the  Otsego,  with  his  rifle  And  his 
hounds,  for  a  few  days'  hunting  in  the  hills  ;  but  before  he 
returned  he  had  seen  the  waters  of  Ontario.  One,  two,  or  evert 
three  hundred  miles  had  once  been  nothing  to  his  sinews,  whick 
were  now  a  little  stiffened  by  age.  The  hunter  did  as  Mohegau 
advised,  and  prepared  to  strike  a  blow  with  the  barbed  weapon 
into  the  neck  of  the  buck. 

"Lay  her  more  to  the  left,  John,"  he  cried,  "lay  her  more  to 
the  left;  another  stroke  of  the  paddle,  and  I  have  him." 

"While  speaking,  he  raised  the  spear,  and  darted  it  from  him 
like  an  arrow.  At  that  instant  the  buck  turned,  the  long  pola 
glanced,  by  him,  the  iron  striking  against  his  horn,  and  buried 
itself  harmlessly  in  the  lake. 


248  THE  PIONEERS. 

"Backwater,"  cried  Natty,  as  the  canoe  glided  over  the  plat* 
where  the  spear  had  fallen  ;  "hold  water,  John." 

The  pole  soon  reappeared,  shooting  upward  from  the  lake,  and, 
as  the  hunter  seized  it  in  his  hand,  the  Indian  whirled  the  light 
canoe  round  and  renewed  the  chase.  But  this  evolution  gave  the 
buck  a  great  advantage  ;  and  it  also  allowed  time  for  Edwards  to 
approach  the  scene  of  action. 

"Hold  your  hand,  Natty  1"  cried  the  youth,  "hold  your  hand  ! 
remember  it  is  out  of  season." 

This  remonstrance  was  made  as  the  batteau  arrived  close  to  tho 
place  where  the  deer  was  struggling  with  the  water,  liis  bade 
now  rising  to  the  surface,  now  sinking  beneath  it,  as  the  waves 
curled  from  his  neck,  the  animal  still  sustaining  itself  nobly 
against  the  odds. 

"Hurrah!"  shouted  Edwards,  inflamed  beyond  prudence  at 
the  sight ;  "  mind  him  as  he  double*— mind  him  as  ne  doubles  ; 
sheer  more  to  the  right,  Muhegan,  more  to  the  right,  and  I'll 
have  him  by  the  horns  ;  I'll  throw  the  rope  over  his  antlers." 

T<he  dark  eye  of  the  old  warrior  was  dancing  in  his  head  with 
a  wild  animation,  and  the  sluggish  repose  in  which  his  aged 
frame  had  been  resting  in  the  canoe  was  now  changed  to  all  the 
rapid  inflections  of  practised  agility.  The  canoe  whirled  with 
each  cunning  evolution  of  the  chase  like  a  bubble  floating  in  a 
whirlpool ;  and  wheu  the  direction  of  the  pursuit  admitted  of  a 
straight  course,  the  little  bark  skimmed  the  lake  with  a  velocity 
that  urged  the  deer  -to  seek  its  safety  in  some  new  turn.  It  was 
the  frequency  of  these  circuitous  movements,  that,  by  confining 
the  action  to  so  small  a  compass,  enabled  the  youth  to  keep  near 
his  companions.  More  than  twenty  times  both  the  pursued  and 
the  pursuers  glided  by  him,  just  without  the  reach  of  his  oars, 
until  he  thought  the  best  way  to  view  the  sport  was  to  remain 
stationary,  and,  by  watching  a  favourable  opportunity,  assist  as 
much  as  he  could  in  taking  the  victim. 

He  was  net  required  to  wait  long,  for  no  sooner  had  he  adopted 
this  resolution  and  risen  in  the  boat,  than  he  saw  the  deer 
coming  bravely  towards  him,  with  an  apparent  intention  of 
pushing  for  a  point  of  land  at  some  distance  from  the  hounds, 
who  were  still  barking  and  howling  on  the  shore.  Edwards 
caught  the  painter  of  his  skiff,  and,  making  a  noose,  cast  it  from 
him  with  all  his  force,  and  luckily  succeeded  in  drawing  its  knot 
close  around  one  of  the  antlers  of  the  buck. 

For  one  instant  the  pkiff  was  drawn  through  the  water,  but  in 
the  next  the  canoe  glided  before  it,  and  Natty,  bending  low, 
passed  his  knife  across  the  throat  of  the  animal,  whose  blood 
followed  the  wound,  dyeing  the  waters.  The  short  time  that  was 
passed  in  the  last  struggles  of  the  animal  ^vas  spent  by  the 
huntera  in  bringing  their  boats  together,  and  securing  them  in 


THE  PIONEERS.  249 

that  position,  when  Leather-stocking  drew  the  deer  from  the 
water,  and  laid  its  lifeless  form  in  the  bottom  of  the  canoe.  .He 
placed  his  hands  on  the  ribs,  and  on  different  parts  of  the  body 
of  his  prize,  and  then,  raising  his  head,  he  laughed  in  his  peculiar 
manner, — 

"So  much  for  Marmaduke  Temple's  law!"  he  said.  "This 
tfarms  a  body's  blood,  old  John  ;  I  naven't  killed  a  buck  in  the 
lake  afore  this  sin'  many  a  year.  I  call  that  good  venison,  lad  ; 
ind  I  know  them  that  will  relish  the  creator's  steaks  for  all  the 
cettcmients  in-the  land." 

The  Indian  had  long  been  drooping  with  his  years,  and  perhaps 
n.nder  the  calamities  of  his  race  ;  but  this  invigorating  and 
exciting  sport  caused  a  gleam  of  sunshine  to  cross  his  swarthy 
face  that  had  long  been  absent  from  his  features.  It  was  evident 
the  old  man.  enjoyed  the  chase  more  as  a  memorial  of  his  youth- 
ful sports  and  deeds,  than  with  any  expectation  of  profiting  by 
the  success.  He  felt  the  deer,  however,  lightly,  his  hand  already 
trembling  with  the  reaction  of  his  unusual  exertions,  and  smiled 
with  a  nod  of  approbation  as. he  said,  in  the  emphatic  and  sen- 
tentious manner  of  Ida  people, — 

"Good."  , 

"I  am  afraid,  Natty/  said  Edwards,  when  the  heat  of 'the 
moment  had  passed,  and  his  blood  began  to  cool,  "  that  \v  ?  have 
all  been  equally  transgressors  of  the  law.  But  keep  your  own 
counsel,  and  there  ate  none  .here  to  betray  us.  Yet,  how  came 
those  dogs  at  L\rge  ?  I  left  diem  securely  fastened,  I  know,  for  I 
felt  the  thongs  and  examined  the  knots  when  I  was  at  the  h  at." 

"It  has  been  ioo  much  for  the  poor  thing!,"  said  Natty,  "to 
have  such  a  buck  take  the  wind  of  them.  Sea,  lad,  the  pieces  of 
the  buck-skin  are  hanging  from  their  necks  y  si.  Let  us  paddle 
up,  John,  and  I  will  call  them  in,  and  look  a  little  into  the 
matter" 

When  the  old  hunter  landed  and  examined  tha  thongs  that 
were  yet  fast  to  the  hounds,  his  countenance  sensibly  changed, 
and  he  shook  his  head  doubtingly. 

"  Here  has  been  a  knife  at  work,"  he  said :  "  this  skin  was 
•never  torn,  nor  is  this  the  mark  of  a  hound's  tooth.  No,  no—- 
Hector is  not  in  fault,  as  I  feared," 

"•'•  Has  the  leather  been  cut  ?  "  cried  Edwards. 

"  No,  no — I  didn't  say  it  had  been  cut,  lad  ;  but  this  is  a  mark 
that  was  never  made  by  &  jump  or  a  bite." 

"  Could  that  rascally  carpenter  have  dared  ! " 

"  Ay  !  he  durst  to  do  anything  when  there  is  no  danger,"  said 
Natty  :  "  he  is  a  curious  body,  and  loves  to  bo  helping  <5ther 
people  on  with  their  consarns.  But  he  had  best  not  narbour  so 
much  near  the  wigwam  !  " 

In   the  meantime   Mohegan  had    been   examining,  with  an 


•250  tHE  PIONEERS. 

Indian's  sagacity,  the  place  where  the  leather  thong  had  been 
separated.  After  scrutinising  it  closely,  he  said  in  Delaware, — 

*  It  was  cut  with  a  knife — a  sharp  blade  and  a  long  handle — 
the  man  was  afraid  of  the  dogs." 

"How  is  this,  Mohegan?*  exclaimed  Edwards:  "you  saw  it 
not  1  how  can  you  know  these  facts  ? " 

"Listen,  son,"  said  the  warrior.  "The  knife  was  sharp,  for 
the  cut  is  smooth  ;  the  handle  was  long,  for  a  man's  arm  would 
not  reach  from  this  gash  to  the  cut  that  did  not  go  through  the 
'skin :  he  was  a  coward,  01  he  would  hate  cut  the  thongs  around 
the  necks  of  the  hounds." 

"  On  my  life,"  cried  Natty,  "John  is  on  the  scent  1  It  was  the 
carpenter  ;  and  he  has  got  on  the  rock  back  of  the  kennel,  and 
let  the  dogs  loose  by  fastening  his  knife  to  a  stick.  It  would  be 
an  easy  matter  to  do  it,  where  a  man  is  so  minded  1 " 

"And  why  should  he  do  so 3"  asked  Edwards:  "who  has 
done  him  wrong,  that  he  should  trouble  two  old  men  like  you  ?  " 

"It's  a  hard  matter,  lad,  to  know  men's  ways,  I  find,  since  the 
settlers  have  brought  in  their  new  fashions.  But  is  there  nothing 
to  be  found  out  in  the  place  ?  and  maybe  he  is  troubled  with  his 
longings  after  other  people's  business,  as  he  often  is." 

"  Your  suspicions  are  just.  Give  me  the  canoe  :  I  am  young 
and  strong,  and  will  get  down  there  yet,  perhaps,  in  time  to 
interrupt  his  plans.  Heaven  forbid  that  we  should'  be  at  the 
mercy  of  such  a  man  1 " 

His  proposal  was  accepted,  the  deer  being  placed  in  the  skiff 
in  order  to  lighten  the  canoe,  and  in  less  than  five  minutes  Ihe 
little  vessel  of  bark  was  gliding  over  the  glassy  lake,  and  was 
soon  hid  by  the  points  of  land,  as  it  shot  close  along  the  shore. 

Mohegan  followed  slowly  with  the  skiff,  while  Natty  called  his 
hounds  to  him,  bade  them  keep  close,  and,  shouldering  his  rifle, 
he  ascended  the  mountain,  with  an  intention  of  going  to  the  hut 
by  laud. 


OHAPTEB   XXVIII 

Ask  me  not  what  the  maiden  feela, 

Left  In  that  dreadful  hour  alone; 
Perchance,  her  reason  stoops,  or  reel* ; 

Perchance,  a  courage  not  her  own 

Braces  her  mind  to  desperate  tone.  loOR. 

WHILE  the  chase  was  occurring  on  the  lake,  Mies  Temple  and  her 
companion  pursued  their  walk  on  the  mountain.  Male  attend- 
ants on  such  excursions  were  thought  to  be  altogether  unnecessary, 
for  none  were  ever  known  to  offer  an  insult  to  a  female  who 
respected  herself.  After  the  embarrassment  created  by  the 
parting  discourse  with?  Edwards  had  dissipated,  the  girls  main- 
tained a  conversation  that  was  as  innocent  and  cheerful  as  them- 
selves. 

The  path  they  took  led  them  but  a  short  distance  above  the 
hut  of  Leather-stocking,  and  there  was  a  point  in  the  road  which 
commanded  a  bird's-eye  view  of  the  sequestered  spot 

From  a  feeling  that  might  have  been  natural,  and  must  have 
been  powerful,  neither  of  the  friends,  in  their  frequent  and  con- 
fidential dialogues,  had  ever  trusted  herself  to  utter  one  syllable 
cpncernmg  ika  equivocal  situation  in  which  the  young  man,  who 
was  now  so  intimately  associated  with  them,  had  been  found.  If 
Judge  Temple  had  deemed  it  prudent  to  make  any  inquiries  on 
the  subject,  he  had  also  thought  it  proper  to  keep  the  answers  to 
himself;  though  it  was  so  common  an  occurrence  to  find  the 
well-educated  youth  of  the  eastern  States  in  every  stage  of  their 
career  to  wealth^  that  the  simple  circumstance  of  his  intelligence, 
connected  with  nis  poverty,  would  not,  at  that  day,  and  in  that 
country,  have  excited  any  very  powerful  curiosity.  With  his 
breeding  it  might  have  been  different;  but  the  youth  himself 
had  so  effectually  guarded  against  surprise  on  this  subject  by  his 
cold,  and  even,  in  some  cases,  rude  deportment,  that  when  his 
manners  seemed  to  soften  by  time,  the  Judge,  if  he  thought  about 
it  at  all,  would  have  been  most  likely  to  imagine  that  the  im- 
provement was  the  result  of  his  late  association.  But  women  are 
always  more  alive  to  such  subjects  than  men  ;  and  what  the 
abstraction  of  the  father  had  overlooked,  the  observation  of  the 
daughter  had  easily  detected.  In  the  thousand  little  courtesies 
of  polished  life,  she  had  early  discovered  that  Edwards  was  not 


252  THE  PIONEERS. 

wanting,  though  his  gentleness  -was  so  often  crossed  by  marks  of 
what  she  conceived  to  be  fierce  and  uncontrollable  passions.  It 
may  perhaps  be  unnecessary  to  tell  the  reader  tbat  Louisa  Grant 
never  reasoned  so  much  after  the  fashions  of  the  world.  The 
gentle  girl,  however,  had  her  own  thoughts  on  the  subject,  and, 
like  others,  she  drew  her  own  conclusions. 

"  I  would  give  all  my  other  secrets,  Louisa,""  exclaimed  Miss 
Temple,  laughing,  and  shaking  back  her  dark  locks,  with  a  look 
of  childish  simplicity  that  her  intelligent  face  seldom  expressed, 
"to  be  mistress  of  all  that  those  rude  logs  have  heard  and 
witnessed." 

They  were  both  looking  at  the  secluded  hut  at  the  instant,  and 
Miss  Grant  raised  her  mild  eyes  as  she  answered, — 

"  I  am  sure  they  would  tell  nothing  to  the  disadvantage  of  Mr. 
Edwards." 

u  Perhaps  not ;  but  they  might  at  least  tell  who  he  is." 

"  Why,  dear  Miss  Temple,  we  know  all  that  already.  I  have 
heard  it  all  very  rationally  explained  by  your  cousin  " — 

"  The  executive  chief  1  he  can  explain  anything.  His  ingenuity 
will  one  day  discover  the  philosopher's  strae.  But  what  did  he 
say?" 

"  Say  1 "  echoed  Louisa,  with  a  look  of  surprise  ;  "  why,  every- 
thing that  seemed  to  me  to  be  satisfactory,  and  I  have  believed 
it  to  be  true.  He  said  that  Natty  Bumppo  had  lived  most  of 
his  life  in  the  woods,  and  among  the  Indians,  by  which  means 
he  had  formed  an  acquaintance  with  old  John,  the  Delaware 
chief." 

"  Indeed  1  that  was  quite  a  matter-of-fact  tale  for  cousin 
Dickon.  What  came  next  ? " 

"  I  believe  he  accounted  for  their  close  intimacy  by  some 
story  about  the  Leather-stooHng  saving  the  life  of  John  in  a 
battle." 

"  Nothing  more  likely,"  said  Elizabeth,  a  little  impatiently ; 
"  but  what  is  all  this  to  the  purpose  ? " 

"  Nay,  Elizabeth,  you  must  bear  with  my  ignorance,  and  I  will 
repeat  all  that  I  remember  to  have  overheard ;  for  the  dialogue 
was  between  ray  father  and  the  Sheriff,  so  lately  as  the  last  time 
they  met.  He  then  added,  that  the  kings  of  England  used  to 
keep  gentlemen  as  agents  among  the  different  tribes  of  Indians, 
and  sometimes  officers  in  the  army,  who  frequently  passed  half 
their  lives  on  the  edge  of  the  wilderness." 

"  Told  with  wonderful  historical  accuracy  1  And  did  he  end 
there?" 

"Oh,  no  ! — then  he  said  that  these  agents  seldom  married  ;  and 
— and — they  must  have  been  wicked  men,  Elizabeth  1  but  I 
assure  you  he  said  so." 

"  Never  mind,''  said  Miss  Temple,  blushing  and  smiling,  though 


PIONEERS.  $53 

eo  slightly  that  lx>th  were  unheeded  by  her  companions ;  **  ikip 

all  that." 

"  Well,  then  he  said  that  they  often,  took  great  pride  in  the 
education  of  their  children,  whom  they  frequently  sent  to  England, 
and  even  to  the  college  {  and  this  is  the  way  that  he  accounts  for 
the  liberal  manner  in  .which  Mr.  Edwards  has  been  taught ;  for 
lie  acknowledges  that  he  knows  almost 'as  much  as  your  father — 
or  mine — or  even  himself  1 " 

"  Quite  a  climax  im  learning !  And  sp  he  made  Mohegan  the 
granduncle  or  grandfather  of  Oliver  Edwards." 

"You  have  heard  him  yourself,  then?"  said  Louisa. 

"Often;  but  not  on  this  subject.  Mr.  Richard  Jones,  you 
know,  dear,  has  a  theory  for  everything  ;  but  has  he  one  which 
will  explain  the  reason  why  that  hut  is  the  only  habitation  within 
fifty  miles  of  us,  whose  door  is  not  open  to  every  person  who  may 
choose  to  lift  its  latch  ? " 

"I  have  never  heard  Mm  say  anything  on  this  Eubject," 
returned  the  clergyman's  daughter ;  "  but  I  suppose  that,  as 
they  are  poor,  they  very  naturally  are  anxious  to  Keep  the  little 
that  they  honestly  own.  It  is  sometimes  dangerous  to  be  rich, 
Miss  Temple,  but  you  cannot  know  how  hard  it  is  to  be  very, 
very  poor. 

"  Nor  you,  I  trust,  Louisa  ;  at  least  I  should  hope  that,  in  this 
land  of  abundance,  no  minister  of  the  church  could  be  left  to 
absolute  suffering." 

"There  cannot  be  actual  misery,"  returned  the  other,  in  a 
low  and  humble  tone,  "where  there  is  a  dependence  on  our 
Maker ;  but  there  may  be  such  suffering  as  will  cause  the  heart 
to  ache." 

"But  not  you — not  yon,"  said  the  impetuous  Elizabeth — "not 
you,  dear  girl ;  you  have  never  known  the  misery  that  is  con- 
nected with  poverty." 

"  Ah  !  Miss  Temple,  you  little  understand  the  troubles  of  this 
life,"I  believe.  My  father  has  spent  many  years  as  a  missionary, 
in  the  new  countries,  where  his  people  were  poor,  and  frequently 
we  have  been  without  bread  ;  unable  to  buy,  and  ashamed  to  beg, 
because  we  would  not  disgrace  his  sacred  calling.  But  how  often 
have  I  seen  him  leave  his  honre,  where  the  sick  and  the  hungry 
felt,  when  he  left  them,  that  they  had  lost  their  only  earthly 
friend,  to  ride  on  a  duty  which  could  not  be  neglected  for  domestic 
evils.  Oh  !  how  hard  it  must  be  to  preach  consolation  to  others, 
when  your  own  heart  is  bursting  with  anguish  ! " 

"  But  it  is  all  over  now !  your  fathers  income  must  now  be 
equal  to  his  wants — it  must  be — it  shall  be  " — 

"  It  is,"  replied  Louisa,  dropping  her  head  on  her  bosom  to 
conceal  the  ^ears  which  flowed  in  spite  of  her  gentle  Christianity, 
— -"for  there  <-.e  ir-  -:- " ->fi-  i?>  bs  supplied  but  me." 


25*  .      ;  PIONEERS. 


The  turn  the  conversation  had  taken  droTO  from  the  minds  o£ 
the  young  maidens  all  other  thoughts  but  those  of  holy  charity  ; 
and  Elizabeth  folded  her  friend  in  her  arms,  when  the  latter  give 
vent  to  her  monlentary  grief  in  audible  sobs.  When  this  burst 
of  emotion  had  subsided,  Louisa  raised  her  mild  countenance,  and 
they  continued  their  .walk  in  silence. 

By  this  time  they  had  gained  the  summit  of  the  mountain, 
where  they  left  the  highway,  and  pursued  their  course  under  the 
shade  of  the  stately  trees  that  crowned  the  eminence.  The  day 
was  becoming  warm,  and  the  girls  plunged  more  deeply  into  the 
forest,  as  they  found  its  invigorating  coolness  agreeably  contrasted 
to  the  excessive  heat  they  nad  experienced  in  the  ascent  The 
conversation,  as  if  by  mutual  consent,  was  entirely  changed  to  the 
little  incidents  and  scenes  of  their  walk,  and  every  tall  pine,  and 
every  shrub  and  flower,  called  forth  some  simple  expression  of 
admiration. 

In  this  manner  they  proceeded  along  the  margin  of  the  preci- 
pice, catching  occasional  glimpses  of  the  placid  Otsego,  or  pausing 
to  listen  to  the  rattling  of  wheels  and  the  sounds  0f  hammers, 
that  rose  from  the  valley,  to  mingle  the  signs  of  men  with 
the  scenes  of  nature,  when  Elizabeth  suddenly  started,  and  ex- 
claimed, — 

"  Listen  J  there  are  the  cries  of  a  child  on  this  mountain  1  is 
there  a  clearing  near  us  ?  or  can  some  little  one  have  strayed 
from  its  parents?" 

"Such  things  frequently  happen,"  returned  Louisa.  -  "Let 
us  follow  the  sounds  :  it  may  ue  a  wanderer  starving  on  the 
hill." 

Urged  by  this  consideration,  the  females  pursued  the  low, 
mournful  sounds  that  proceeded  from  the  forest  with  quick  and 
impatient  steps.  More  than  once  the  ardent  Elizabeth  was  on  the 
point  of  announcing  that  she  saw  the  sufferer,  when  Louisa  caught 
her  by  the  arm,  and  pointing  behind  them,  cried,  — 

"Look  at  the  doe  P 

Brave  had  been  their  companion  from  the  time  the  voice  of  his 

gmng  mistress  lured  him  from  his  kennel  to  the  present  moment. 
is  advanced  age  had  long  before  deprived  him  of  bis  activity  ; 
and  when  his  companions  stopped  to  view  the  scenery,  or  to  add 
to  their  bouquets,  the  mastiff  would  lay  his  huge  frame  on  the 
ground,  and  await  their  movements  with  hia  eyes  closed,  and  a 
listlessness  in  his  air  that.  ill  accorded  with  the  character  of  a 
protector.  But  when,  aroused  by  this  cry  from  Louisa,  Miss 
Temple  turned,  she  saw  the  dog  with  -his  eyes  keenly  set  on 
some  distant  object,  his  head  bent  near  the  ground,  and  his  hair 
actually  rising  on  his  body,  through  fright  or  anger.  It  was 
most  probably  the  latter,  for  he  was  'growling  in  a  low  key, 
and  occasionally  showing  his  teeth,  in  a  manner  thajt  Wotrtd, 


THE  PIO NEERS.  •"  255 

have  terrified  his  mistress,  had  she  not  so  well  known  his  good 
qualities. 

"Brave!"  she  said,  "be  quiet,  Brave!  what  do  you  see, 
fellow?" 

At  the  sounds  of  her  voice  the  rage  of  the  mastiff,  instead  at 
being  at  all  diminished,  was  very  sensibly  increased.  He  stalked 
in  front  of  the  ladies,  and  seated  himself  at  the  feet  of'his  mistress, 
growling  louder  than  before,  and  occasionally  giving  vent  to  his 
ire  by  a  short,  surly  barking. 

"  What  does  he  see  ? "  said  Elizabeth  :  "  there  must  be  some 
animal  in  sight." 

Hearing  no  answer  from  her  companion,  Miss  Temple  turned 
her  head,  and  beheld  Louisa  standing  with  her  face  whitened  to 
the  colour  of  death,  and  her  finger  pointing  upward  with  a  sort 
of  nickering  convulsed  motion.  The  quick  eye  of  Elizabeth 
glanced  in  the  direction  indicated  by  her  friend,  where  she  saw 
the  fierce  front  and  glaring  eyes  of  a  female  panther  fixed  on  them 
in  horrid  malignity,  and  threatening  to  leap. 

"  Let  us  fly ! "  exclaimed  Elizabeth,  grasping  the  arm  of  Louisa, 
whose  form  yielded  like  melted  enow. 

There  was  not  a  single  feeling  in  the  temperament  of  Elizabeth 
Temple  ihat  could  prompt  her  to  desert  a  companion  in  such  an 
extremity.  She  fell  on  her  knees  by  the  side  of  the  inanimate 
Louisa,  tearing  from  the  person  of  her  friend,  with  instinctive 
readiness,  such  parts  of  her  dress  as  might  obstruct  her  respira- 
tion, and  encouraging  their  only  safeguard,  the  dog,  at  the  same 
time  by  the  sounds  of  her  voice. 

"  Courage,  Brave ! "  she  cried,  her  own  tones  beginning  to 
tremble,  "  courage,  courage,  good  Brave  ! " 

A  quarter-grown  cub,  that  had  hitherto  been  unseen,  now  ap- 
peared, dropping  from  the  branches  of  a  sapling  that  grew  under 
the  shade  or  the  beech  which  held  its  dam.  This  ignorant  but 
vicious  creature  approached  the  dog,  imitating  the  actions  and 
sounds  of  its  parent,  but  exhibiting  a  strange  mixture  of  the 
playfulness  of  a  kitten  with  the  ferocity  of  its  race.  Standing 
on  its  hind  legs,  it  would  rend  the  bark  of  a  tree  with  its  fore 
paws,  and  play  the  antics  of  a  cat ;  and  then,  by  lashing  itself 
with  its  tail,  growling,  and  scratching  the  earth,  it  would 
attempt  the  manifestations  of  anger  that  rendered  its  parent  so 
terrific. 

All  this  time  Brave  stood  firm  and  undaunted,  his  short  tail 
erect,  his  body  drawn  backward  on  its  haunches,  and  his  eyes 
following  the  movements  of  both  dam  and  cub.  At  every  gambol 
played  by  the  latter  it  approached  nigher  to  the  dog,  the  growling 
of  the  three  becoming  more  horrid  at  each  moment,  until  the 
younger  beast,  overleaping  its  intended  bound,  fell  directly  before 
the  mastiff.  There  was  a  moment  of  fearful  cries  and  struggles, 


25Q  THE  PIONEERS. 

but  they  ended  almost  as  soon  as  commenced,  by  the  cub  appear- 
ing in  the  air,  hurled  from  the  jaws  of  Brave,  with  a  violence 
that  sent  it  against  a  tree  so  forcibly  as  to  render  it  completely 
rcnseless. 

Elizabeth  witnessed  the  short  struggle,  and  her  blood  was 
warming  with  the  triumph  of  the  dog,  when  she  saw  the  form  of 
the  old  panther  in  the  air,  springing  twenty  feet  from  the  branch 
of  the  beech  to  the  back  of  the  mastiff.  No  words  of  ours  can 
describe  the  fury  of  the  conflict  that  followed.  It  was  a  confused 
struggle  on  the  dried  leaves,  accompanied  by  loud  and  terrific 
cries.  Miss  Temple  continued  on  her  knees,  bending  over  the 
form  of  Louisa,  her  eyes  fixed  .on  the  animals,  with  an  interest  so 
horrid,  and  yet  so  intense,  that  she  almost  forgot  her  own  stake 
in  the  result.  So  rapid  and  vigorous  were  the  bounds  of  the 
inhabitant  of  the  forest,  that  its  active  frame  seemed  constantly 
in  the  air,  while  the  dog  nobly  faced  his  foe  at  each  successive 
leap.  When  the  panther  lighted  on  the  shoulders  of  the  mastiff, 
which  was  its  constant  aim,  old  Brave,  though  torn  with  her 
talons,  and  stained  with  his  own  blood,  that  already  flowed  from 
a  dozen  wounds,  would  shake  off  his  furious  foe  like  a  feather, 
and,  rearing  on  his  hind  legs,  rush  to  the  fray  again,  with  jaws 
distended  and  a  dauntless  eye.  But  age  and  his  pampered  life 
greatly  disqualified  the  noble  mastiff  for  such  a  struggle.  In  every- 
thing but  courage  he  was  only  the  vestige  of  what  he  had  once 
been.  A  higher  bound  than  ever  raised  the  wary  and  furious 
beast  far  beyond  the  reach  of  the  dog,  who  was  making  a  desperate 
but  fruitless  dash  at  her,  from  which  she  alighted  in  a  favourable 
position  on  the  back  of  her  aged  foe.  For  a  single  moment  only 
could  the  panther  remain  there,  the  great  strength  of  the  dog 
returning  with  a  convulsive  effort.  But  Elizabeth  saw,  as  Brave 
fastened  his  teeth  in  the  fide  of  his  enemy,  that  the  collar  of 
brass  around  his  neck,  which  had  been  glittering  throughout  the 
fray,  was  of  the  colour  of  blood,  and,  directly,  that  his  frame  was 
sinking  to  the  earth,  where  it  soon  lay  prostrate  and  helpless. 
Several  mighty  efforts  of  the  wild-cat  to  extricate  herself  from  the 
jaws  of  the  dog  followed,  but  they  were  fruitless,  until  the  mastiff 
turned  on  his  back,  his  lips  collapsed,  and  his  teeth  loosened,  when 
the  short  convulsions  and  stillness  that  succeeded  announced  the 
death  of  poor  Brave. 

Elizabeth  now  lay  wholly  at  the  mercy  of  the  beast.  There  is 
said  to  be  something  in  the  front  of  the  image  of  the  Maker  that 
daunts  the  hearts  of  the  inferior  beings  of  His  creation  ;  and  it 
would  seem  that  some  such  power,  in  the  present  instance,  sus- 

E  ended  the  threatened  blow.     The  eyea  of  the  monster  and  the 
neelmg  maiden  met  for  an  instant,  when  the  former  stooped  to 
examine  her  fallen  foe  ;  next  to  scent  her  luckless  cub.    From  the 
latter  examination  it  turned,  however,  with  its  eyes  apparently 


THE  PIONEERS.  257 

crn.i-.Aiig  flashes  of  fire,  its  tail  lashing  its  sides  furiously,  and  its 
claws  projecting  inches  from  her  broad  feet. 

Miss  Temple  did  not,  or  could  not,  move.  Her  hands  were 
clasped  in  the  attitude  of  prayer,  but  her  eyes  were  still  drawn  to 
her  terrible  enemy — her  cheeks  were  blanched  to  the  whiteness  of 
marble,  and  her  lips  were  slightly  separated  with  horror.  The 
moment  seemed  now  to  have  arrived  for  the  fatal  termination, 
and  the  beautiful  figure  of  Elizabeth  was  bowing  meekly  to  the 
stroke,  when  a  rustling  of  leaves  behind  seemed  rather  to  mock 
the  organs,  than  to  Meet  her  ears. 

"  Hist !  hist  1 "  said  a  low  voice  : — "  steep  lower,  gal  your 
bonnet  hides  the  creator's  head." 

It  was  rather  the  yielding  of  nature  (/nan  a  compliance  with 
this  unexpected  order,  that  caused  the  head  of  our  heroine  to  sink 
on  her  bosoin  ;  when  she  heard  the  report  of  the  rifle,  the  whiz- 
zing of  tie  bullet,  and  the  enraged  cries  of  the  beast,  who  was 
rolling  over  on  the  earth,  biting  its  own  flesh,  and  tearing  the 
twigs  and  branches  within  its  reach.  At  the  next  instant  the 
form  of  the  Leather  -  stocking  rushed  by  her,  and  he  called 
aloud, — 

"  Come  in,  Hector,  come  in,  old  fool ;  'tin  a  hard-lived  animal, 
and  may  jump  ag'in." 

Natty  fearlessly  maintained  hia  position  uo.  front  of  the  females, 
notwithstanding  the  violent  bounds  and  threatening  aspect  of  the 
wounded  panther,  which  gave  several  indications  of  returning 
strength  and  ferocity,  until  his  rifle  was  again  loaded,  when  he 
stepped  up  to  the  enragecj  animal,  and  placing  the  muzzle  close  to 
its  nead,  every  spark  of  life  was  extinguished  by  the  discharge. 

The  death  of  her  terrible  enemy  appeared  to  Elizabeth  like  a 
resurrection  from  her  own  grave.  There  was  an  elasticity  in  the 
mind  of  our  heroine,  that  rose  to  meet  the  pressure  of  instant 
danger,  and  the  more  direct  ii  had  been,  the  more  her  nature  had 
struggled  to  overcome  them.  But  still  she  was  woman.  Had  she 
been  left  to  herself,  in  her  late  extremity,  she  would  probably 
have  used  her  faculties  to  the  utmost,  and  with  discretion,  in  pro- 
tecting her  person ;  but  encumbered  with  her  inanimate  friend, 
retreat  was  a  thing  not  to  be  attempted.  Notwithstanding  the 
i  fearful  aspect  of  her  foe,  the  eye  of  Elizabeth  had  never  shrunk 
from  its  gaze,  and  long  after  the  event  her  thoughts  would  recur 
to  her  passing  sensations,  and  the  sweetness  of  her  midnight 
sleep  would  be  disturbed,  as  her  active  fancy  conjured,  in  dreams, 
the  most  trifling  movements  of  savage  fury  that  the  beast  had 
exhibited  in  its  moment  cf  power. 

We  shall  leave  the  reader  to  imagine  the  restoration  of  Louisa's 
senses,  and  the  expressions  of  gratitude  which  fell  from  the  young 
woman.  The  former  was  effected  by  a  little  water,  that  was 
brought  from  one  of  the  thousand  springs  of  those  mountains,  in 


S58  THE  PIONEERS. 

the  cap  of  the  Leather- stocking  ;  and  the  latter  were  tittered  with 
the  warmth  that  might  be  expected  from  the  character  of  Eliza- 
beth. Natty  received  her  vehement  protestations  of  gratitude 
with  a  simple  expression  of  good- will,  and  with  indulgence  for 
her  present  excitement,  but  with  a  carelessness  that  showed  how 
little  he  thought  of  the  service  he  had  rendered. 

"  Well,  well,"  he  said,  "  be  it  so,  gal ;  let  it  be  so,  if  you  wish 
it — we'll  talk  the  thing  over  another  time.  Come,  come — let  us 
get  into  the  road,  for  you've  had  terror  enough  to  make  you  wish 
yourself  in  your  father's  house  agin." 

This  waa  uttered  as  they  were  proceeding,  at  a  pace  that  was 
adapted  to  the  Weakness  of  Louisa,  towards  the  liighway :  on 
reaching  which  the  ladies  separated  from  their  guide,  declaring 
themselves  equal  to  the  remainder  of  the  walk  without  his 
assistance,  and  feeling  encouraged  by  the  sight  of  the  village 
which  lay  beneath  their  feet,  like  a  picture,  with  its  limpid  lake 
in  front,  the  winding  stream  along  its  margin,'  and  its  hundred 
chimneys  of  whitened  bricks. 

The  reader  need  not  be  told  the  nature  of  the  emotions  which 
two  youthful,  ingenuous,  and  well-educated  girls  would  experience 
at  their  escape  from  a  death  BO  horrid  as  the  one  which  had  im- 
pended over  them,  while  they  pursued  their  way  in  silence  along 
the  track  on  the  side  of  the  mountain  ;  nor  how  deep  were  their 
mental  thanks  to  that  Power  which  had  given  them  their  exist- 
ence, and  which  had  not  deserted  them  in  their  extremity ; 
neither  bow  often  they  pressed  each  other's  arms,  as  the  assurance 
of  their  present  safety  came,  like  a  healing  balm,  athwart  their 
troubled  spirits,  when  their  thoughts  were  recurring  to  the  recent 
moments  of  horror. 

Leather-stocking  remained  on  the  hill,  gazing  after  their  re- 
tiring figures,  until  they  were  hid  by  a  bend  in  the  road,  when 
he  whistled  in  his  dogs,  and  shouldering  his  rifle,  he  returned 
into  the  forest. 

"Well,  it  was  a  ekeary  thing  to  the  young  creaters,"  said  Natty, 
while  he  re-trod  the  path  towards  the  slain.  "  It  might  frighten 
an  older  woman,  to  see  a  she-painter  so  near  her,  with  a  dead  cub 
by  its  side.  I  wonder  if  I  had  aimed  at  the  varmint's  eye,  if  I 
"shouldn't  have  touched  the  life  sooner  than  in  the  forehead  ;  but 
they  are  hard-lived  animals,  and  it  was  a  good  shot,  consid'ring 
that  I  could  see  nothing  but  the  head  and  the  peak  of  its  tail 
Hah  !  who  goes  there  ? " 

"  How  goes  it,  Natty  ?  "  said  Mr.  Doolittle,  stepping  out  of  the 
bushes,  with  a  motion  that  was  a  good  deal  accelerated  by  the 
sight  of  the  rifle,  that  was  already  lowered  in  his  direction. 
"What !  ehooting  this  warm  day  1  mind,  old  man,  the  law  don't 
get  hold  on  you.'' 

M  The  law,  eqnire  1  I  hare  shook  hands  with  the  law  these  for*v 


THE  PIONEERS.  2ofl 

year,*  returned  Natty  ;  "  for  what  has  a  man  who  live*  in  the 
wilderness  to  do  with  the  waya  of  the  law  ?" 

"  Not  muck  may  be,"  said  Hiram  ;  "  but  you  sometimes  trade 
on  venison.  I  e'pose  you  know,  Leather-stocking,  that  there  is  an 
act  passed  to  lay  a  fine  of  five  pounds  currency,  or  twelve  dollais 
and  fifty  cents,  by  decimals,  on  every  man  who  kills  a  deer 
betwixt  January  and  August  The  Judge  had  a  great  hand  in 
getting  the  law  through." 

"  I  can  believe  it>"  returned  the  old  hunter ;  "  I  can  believe 
that  or  anything,  of  a  man  who  carries  on  as  he  does  in  the 
country." 

"Yes,  the  law  is  quite  positive,  and  the  Judge  is  bent  on 
putting  it  in  force — five  pounds  penalty.  I  thought  I  heard  your 
hounds  out  on  the  scent  of  so'thing  this  morning  :  I  didn't  know 
but  they  might  get  you  in  difficulty." 

"They  know  their  manners  too  well,"  said  Nafty  carelessly. 
"  And  how  much  goes  to  the  State's  evidence,  squire  i " 

"  How  much  I "  repeated  Hiram,  quailing  under  the  honest  but 
sharp  look  of  the  hunter  : — "  the  informer  gets  half,  I — I  b'lieve ; 
— yes?  I  guess  it's  half.  But  there's  blood  on  your  sleeve,  man — 
you  haven't  been  shooting  anything  this  morning?" 

"I  have,  though,"  said  the  hunter,  nodding  his  head  significantly 
to  the  other,  "  and  a  good  shot  I  made  of  it." 

"  H-e-m  I "  ejaculated  the  magistrate  ;  "  and  where  is  the  game? 
I  s'pose  it's  of  a  good  nater,  for  your  dogs  won't  hunt  at  anything 
that  isn't  choice. 

"  They'll  hunt  anything  I  tell  them  to,  squire,"  cried  Natty, 
favouring  the  other  with  his  laugh.  "They'll  hunt  you,  if  I  say 
so.  He-e-e-re,  he-e-e-re,  Hector  —  he-e-e-re,  slut,  —  come  this 
a  way,  pups — come  this  a- way — come  hither." 

"Oh!  I  have  always  heard  a  good  character  of  the  dogs," 
returned  Mr.  Doolittle,  quickening  his  pace  !>y  raising  each  leg  in 
rapid  succession,  as  the  hounds  scented  around  his  person.  "And 
where  is  the  game,  Leather-stocking  ? " 

During  this  dialogue,  the  speakers  had  been  walking  at  a  very 
fast '  gait,  and  Natty  swung  the  end  of  his  rifle  round,  pointing 
through  the  bushes,  and  replied, — 

"  There  lies  one.     How  do  you  like  such  meat ! " 

"This  1 "  exclaimed  Hiram ;  "  \*hy,  this  is  Judge  Templeton's  dog 
Brave.  Take  care,  Leather-stocking,  and  don't  make  an  enemy 
of  the  Judge.  I  hope  you  haven't  harmed  the  animal  ? " 

"Look  for  yourself,  Mr.  Doolittle,"  said  Natty,  drawing  his 
knife  from  his  girdle,  and  wiping  it,  in  a  knowing  manner,  once 
or  twice  across  his  garment  of  buckskin  ;  "does  his  throat  look 
as  if  I  had  cut  it  with  this  knife  ? " 

"  It  is  dreadfully  torn  1  it's  an  awful  wound — no  knife  never 
did  this  deed.  Who  could  have  done  it  ? " 


260  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  The  painters  behind  you,  squire." 

"Painters  1"  echoed  Hiram,  whirling  on  his  heel  with  an  agility 
that  would  have  done  credit  to  a  dancing-master. 

"Be  easy,  man,"  said  Natty;  "  there  s  two  of  the  venomous 
things  ;  but  the  dog  finished  ore,  and  I  have  fastened  the  other's 
jaws  for  her ;  so  don't  be  frightened,  squire,  they  won't  hurt 
you." 

"And  where's  the  deer  ? "  cried  Hiram,  staring  about  him  with 
a  bewildered  air. 

"  Anan  !  deer  ! "  repeated  Natty. 

"  Sartain,  an't  there  ven'son  here,  or  didn't  you  kill  a  buck  ? " 
"What  1  when  the  law  forbids  the  thing,  squire  ! "  said  the  old 
hunter.     "  I  hope  there's  no  law  ag*in  killing  the  painters." 

"  No ;  there's  a  bounty  on  the  scalps— but — will  your  dogs 
hunt  painters,  Natty  ? " 

"Anything  ;  »didn't  I  tell  you  they'd  hunt  a  man  ?  He-e-re, 
he-e-re,  pups  " — 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  remember.  Well,  they  are  strange  dogs,  I  must 
say — I  am  quite  in  a  wonderment."  . 

Natty  had  seated  himself  on  the  ground,  and  having  laid  the 
grim  head  of  his  late  ferocious  enemy  in  his  hip,  was  dra^v  ing  his 
knife  with  a  practised  hand  around  the  ears,  which  he  tore  from 
the  head  of  the  beast  in  such  a  manner  as  to  preserve  their  con- 
nection, when  he  answered, — 

"What  at,  squire  ?  did  you  never  see  a  painter's  scalp  afore  ? 
Come,  you  are  a  magistrate,  I  wish  you'd  make  me  out  an  order 
for  the  bounty." 

"  The  bounty  ! "  repeated  Hiram,  holding  the  ears  on  the  end 
of  his  finger,  for  a  moment,  as  if  uncertain  how  to  proceed. 
"  Well,  let  us  go  down  to  your  hut,  where  you  can  take  the  oath, 
and  I  will  writo  out  the  order.  I  suppose  you  have  a  Bible  ?  all 
the  law  wants  is  the  four  Evangelists  and  the  Lord's  prayer." 

"  I  ke^ep  no  books,"  said  Natty,  a  little  coldly ;  "  not  such  a 
Bible  as  the  law  needs." 

"  Oh !  there's  but  one  sort  of  Bible  that's  good  in  law," 
returned  the  magistrate ;  "  and  yoiirn  will  do  as  well  as  another's. 
Come,  the  carcases  are  worth  nothing,  man  ;  let  us  go  down  and 
take  the  oath." 

"Softly,  softly,  squire,"  said  the  hunter,  lifting  his  trophies 
very  deliberately  from  the  ground,  and  shouldering  his  rifle  ; 
"why  do  you  want  an  oath  at  all,  for  a  thing  that  your  own  eyes 
has  seen?  won't  you  believe  yourself,  that  another  man  must 
swear  to  a  fact  that  you  know  to  be  true  ?  You  have  seen  me 
scalp  the  creaters,  and  if  I  must  swear  to  it,  it  shall  be  before 
Judge  Temple,  who  needs  an  oath." 

"But  we  have  no  pen  or  paper  here,  Leather-stocking;  we 
go  to  the  Jiut  for  them,  or  boy  can  I  write  the  order  ?;! 


THE  PIONEERS.  «81 

Natty  turned  his  simple  featu^s  on  the  cunning  magistrate 
with  another  of  his  laughs,  as  he  said, — 

"And  what  shall  I  be  doing  with  scholars'  tools  ?  I  want 
no  pens  or  paper,  not  knowing  the  use  of  either ;  and  I  keep 
none.  No,  no,  I'll  bring  the  scalps  into  the  village,  squire,  and 
you  can  make  out  the  order  on  one  of  your  law-hooks,  and  it  will 
be  all  the  better  for  it.  The  douce  take  this  leather  on  the  neck 
of  the  dog,  it  will  strangle  the  old  fool.  Can  you  lend  me  a 
knife,  squire  ? " 

Hiram,  who  seemed  particularly  anxious  to  be  on  good  terma 
with  his  companion,  unhesitatingly  complied.  Natty  cut  the 
thc^.3  from  the  neck  of  the  hound,  and,  as  he  returned  the  knife 
to  its  owner,  carelessly  remarked, — 

"  'Tis  a  good  bit  of  steel,  and  has  cut  such  leather  as  this  very 
same,  before  now,  I  daresay." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  charge  me  with  letting  your  hounds  loose ^"j 
exclaimed  Hiram,  with  a  consciousness  that  disarmed  his 
caution. 

"  Loose ! "  repeated  the  hunter — "  I  let  them  loose  myself.  I 
always  let  them  loose  before  I  leave  the  hut." 

The  ungovernable  amazement  with  which  Mr.  Doolittle  listened 
to  this  falsehood,  would  have  betrayed  his  agency  in  the  libera- 
tion of  the  dogs,  had  Natty  wantsd  any  further  confirmation ; 
and  the  coolness  and  management  of  the  old  man  now  dis- 
appeared in  open  indignation. 

"  Look  you  here,  Mr.  Doolittle,"  he  said,  striking  the  breach  of| 
his  rifle  violently  on  the  ground  ;  "  what  there  is  in  the  wigwam! 
of  a  poor  man  like  me,  that  one  like  you  can  crave,  I  don't  know ; 
but  this  I  teil  you  to  your  face,  that  you  never  shall  put  foot 
under  the  roof  of  my  cabin  with  my  consent,  and  that  if  you; 
harbour  round  the  spot  as  you  have  done  lately,  you  may  meet' 
with  treatment  that  you  will  little  relish."  j 

"And  let  me  tell  you,  Mr.  Bumppo,"  said  Hiram,  retreating,  ( 
however,  with  a  quicK  step,  "that  I  know  you've  broke  the  law,! 
and-  that  I'm  a  magistrate,  and  will  make  you  feel  it  too,  before 
you  are  a  day  older." 

"  That  for  you  and  your  law  too,"  cried  Natty,  snapping  his 
fingers  at  the  justice. of  the  peace: — "away  with  you,  you 
varmint^  before  the  devil  tempts  me  to  give  you  your  desarts. 
Take  care,  if  I  ever  catch  your  prowling  face  in  the  woods  ag'in, 
that  I  don't  shoot  it  for  an  owl." 

t  There  is  something  at  all  times  commanding  in  honest  indigna- 
tion, and  Hiram  did  not  stay  to  provoke  the  wrath  of  the  old 
hunter  to  extremities.  When  the  intruder  was  out  of  sight, 
Natty  proceeded  to  the  hut,  where  he  found  all  quiet  as  the 
grave.  He  fastened  his  dogs,  and  tapping  at  the  door,  which  w»» 
opened  by  Edwards,  asked,— 


262'  THE  PIONEERS. 

"la  all  safe,  lad?" 

"  Everything,"  returned  the  youth.  "  Some  one  attempted  the 
lock,  but  it  was  too  strong  for  him." 

"  I  know  the  creater,"  said  Natty,  "  but  hell  not  trust  himself 
within  reach  of  my  rifle  very  soon "—  What  more  was  tittered 
by  the  Leather-stocking,  in  his  vexation,  was  rendered  inaudibk 
ky  the  closing  of  the  door  of  the  cabin. 


CHAPTER   XXIX. 

Tt  is  noised,  he  bath  a  mass  or  treasure.— Tlmon  of  Athens. 

WHEN  Marmaduke  Temple  and  his  cousin  rode  through  the  gate 
of  the  former,  the  heart  of  the  father  had  been  too  recently 
touched  with  the  best  feeling  of  our  nature,  to  leave  inclination 
for  immediate  discourse.  There  was  an  importance  in  the  air  of 
Richard  which  would  not  have  admitted  of  the  ordinary  in- 
formal conversation  of  the  Sheriff,  without  violating  all  the  rules 
of  consistency  ;  and  the  equestrians  pursued  their  way  with 
great  diligence,  for  more  than  a  mile,  in  profound  silence.  At 
length  the  soft  expression  of  parental  .affection  was  slowly  chased 
from  the  handsome  features  of  the  Judge,  and  was  gradually  sup- 
planted by  the  cast  of  humour  and  benevolence. that  was  usually 
seated  on  1m  brow. 

"  Well,  Dickon,"  he  said,  "  since  I  have  yielded  myself  so  far 
implicitly  to  your  guidance,  I  think  the  moment  has  arrived 
when  I  am  entitled  to  further  confidence.  Why  and  wherefore 
are  we  journeying  together  in  this  solemn  gait?" 

The  Sheriff  gave  a  loud  hem,  that  rung  far  in  the  forest,  and 
keeping  his  eyes  fixed  on  objects  before  him,  like  a  man  who  is 
looking  deep  into  futurity, — 

"  There  has  always  lx>en  one  point  of  difference  between  us, 
Judge  Temple,  T  may  say  since  our  nativity,"  he  replied;  "not 
that  I  would  insinuate  that  you  are  at  all  answerable  for  the 
acts  of  nature  ;  for  a  man  i*  no  more  to  be  condemned  for  the 
misfortunes  of  his  birth,  than  he  is  to  be  commtnded  for  the 
natural  advantages  he  may  possess  ;  but  on  one  point  we  may  be 
paid  to  have  differed  from  our  births,  and  they,  you  know, 
occurred  within  two  days  of  each  other." 

"  I  really  marvel,  Richard,  what  this  one  ]K>int  can  bo  ;  for, 
to  my  eyes,  w«  ^eem  to  differ  so  materially,  and  eo  often  " — 

"Mere  consequences,  sir,"  interrupted  the  Sheriff;  "all  our 
minor  differences  proceed  from  one  cause,  and  that  its  our 
opinions  of  the  universal  attainments  of  genius-." 

•'In  what,  Dickon?" 

"  I  speak  plain  English,  1  believe,  Judue  Temple  ;  at  letui  f 
ought,  for  my  father,  who  taught  me,  could  speak  — 


264  TEE  PIONEERS. 

"  Greek  and  Latin,"  interrupted  Marmaduke.  "  I  well  knew 
the  qualifications  of  your  family  in  tongue,  Dickon,  But 
proceed  to  the  point ;  why  are  we  travelling  over  this  mountain 
to-day?" 

"  To  do  justice  to  any  subject,  sir,  the  narrator  must  be  suffered 
to  proceed  in  his  own  way,"  continued  the  Sheriff.  "  You  are  of 
opinion,  Judge  Temple,  that  a  man  is  to  be  qualified  by  nature 
and  education  to  do  only  one  thing  well,  whereas  I  know  that 
genius  will  supply  the  place  of  learning,  and  that  a  certain  sort 
of  man  can  do  anything  and  everything." 

"  Like  yourself,  I  suppose,"  said  Marmaduke,  smiling. 

u  I  scorn  personalities,  sir,  I  say  nothing  of  myself ;  but  there 
are  three  men  on  your  Patent  of  the  kind  that  I  should  term 
talented  by  nature  for  her  general  purposes,  though  acting  under 
the  influence  of  different  situations." 

"  We  are  better  off,  then,  than  I  had  supposed.  Who  are  these 
triumviri  ? " 

"Why,  sir,  one  is  Hiram  Doolittle ;  a  carpenter  by  trade,  as 
you  know,  —  and  I  need  only  point  to  the  village  to  exhibit 
his  merits.  Then  he  is  a  magistrate,  and  might  shame 
many  a  man,  in  his  distribution  of  justice,  who  has  had-  better 
opportunities." 

"  Well,  he  is  one,"  caid  Marmaduke,  with  the  air  of  a  man  that 
was  determined  not  to  dispute  the  point. 

"  Jotham  Riddel  is  another." 

"Who?" 

"Jotham  Riddel." 

"What,  that  dissatisfied,  shiftless,  lazy,  speculating  fellow!  he 
who  changes  his  county  every  three  yearsp  his  farm  every  six 
months,  and  his  occupation  every  season !  an  agriculturist  yester- 
day, a  shoemaker  to-day,  and  a  schoolmaster  to-morrow  1  that 
epitome  of  all  the  unsteady  and  profitless  propensities  of  the 
settlers  without  one  of  their  good  qualities  to  counterbalance 
the  evil  I  Nay,  Richard,  this  is  too  bad  for  even  —  but  the 
third?" 

"  As  the  third  is  not  used  to  hearing  such  comments  on  his 
sharacter,  Judge  Temple,  I  shall  not  name  him." 

"The  amount  of  all  this,  then,  Dickon,  is  that  the  trio,  of 
which  you  are  one,  and  the  principal,  have  made  some  important 

J  •  » 

discovery. 

"  I  have  not  said  that  I  am  one,  Judge  Temple.    As  I  told  you 
before,  I  say  nothing  egotistical.    But  a  discovery  has  been  made, 
and  you  are  deeply  interested  in  it." 
!  Proceed— I  am  all  ears." 

"  No,  no,  'duke,  you  are  bad  enough,  I  own,  but  not  so  bad  as 
that  either  ;  your  ears  are  not  quite  full  grown." 

The  Sherifi  laughed  heartily  at  his  own  wit,  and  put  himself 


THE  PIONEERS.  265 

in  good  humour  thereby,  when  he  gratified  his  patient  cousin 
with  the  following  explanation  : — 

"  You  know,  'duke,  there  i3  a  man  living  on  your  estate  that 
goes  by  the  name  of  Natty  Eumppo.  Here  has  this  man  lived, 
by  what  I  can  learn,  for  more  than  forty  years — by  himself,  until 
lately  ;  and  now  with  strange  companions." 

"  rart  very  true,  and  all  very  probable,*  eaid  the  Judge. 

"  All  true,  sir ;  all  true.  '  WeB,  within  these  mst  few  months 
have  appeared  as  his  companions,  an  old  Indian  chief,  the  last, 
or  one  of  the  last  of  his  tribe  that  is  to  be  found  in  this  part  of 
the  country,  and  a  young  man,  who  is  said  to  be  the  son  of  some 
Indian  agent,  by  a  squaw." 

"  Who  says  that  ?  cried  Marmaduke,  with  an  interest  that  he 
had  not  manifested  before. 

"Who  !  wny,  common  sense — common  report — the  hue  and 
cry.  But  listen  till  you  know  all.  This  youth  has  very  pretty 
talents — yes,  what  I  call  very  pretty  talents — and  has  been  well 
educated,  has  seen  very  tolerable  company,  and  knows  how  to 
behave  himself,  when  he  has  a  mind  to.  Now,  Judge  Temple, 
can  you  tell  me  what  has  brought  three  such  men  as  Indian 
John,  Natty  Bumppo,  and  Oliver  Edwards  together  ? " 

Marmaduke  turned  his  countenance,  in  evident  surprise,  to  his 
cousin,  and  replied  quickly, — 

"  Thou  hast  unexpectedly  hit  on  a  subject,  Eichard,  that  has 
often  occupied  my  mind.  But  knowest  thou  anything  of  this 
mystery,  or  are  they  only  the  crude  conjectures  of  — 

"  Crude  nothing,  duke,  crude  nothing  ;  but  facts,  stubborn  facts. 
You  know  there  are  mines  in  these  mountains  ;  I  have  often 
heard  you  say  that  you  believed  in  their  existence." 

"  Reasoning  from  analogy,  Eichard,  but  not  with  any  certainty 
of  the  fact." 

"  You  have  heard  them  mentioned,  and  have  seen  specimens 
of  the  ore,  sir ;  you  will  not  deny  that ;  and,  reasoning  from 
analogy,  as  you  say,  if  there  be  mines  in  South  America,  ought 
there  not  to  be  mines  in  North  America  too  ? " 

"Nay,  nay,  I  deny  nothing,  my  cousin.  I  certainly  have 
heard  many  rumours  of  the  existence  of  mines  in  these  hills  ;  and 
I  do  believe  that  I  have  seen  specimens  of  the  precious  irretab 
that  have  been  found  here.  It  would  occasion  me  no  surprise 
to  learn  that  tin  and  silver,  or  what  I  consider  of  more  conse- 
quence, good  coal " — 

"  Damn  your  coal,"  cried  the  Sheriff ;  "who  wants  to  find  coal 
in  these  forests  ?  No,  no,  silver,  'duke  ;  silver  is  the  one  thing 
needful,  and  silver  is  to  be  found.  But  listen  :  you-  are  not  to  be 
told  that  the  natives  have  long  known  the  use  ol  gold  and  silver ; 
now,  who  so  likely  to  be  acquainted  where  they  are  to  be  found, 
as  the  ancient  inhabitants  of  a  country  ?  I  have  the  best  reasons 


866  TEE  PIONEERS. 

for  believing  that  both  Mohegan  and  the  Leather-stocking  Lav* 
be  .n  privy  to  the  existence  ot  a  mine  in  this  very  mountain,  for 
many  years." 

The  Sheriff  had  now  touched  his  cousin  in  a  sensitive  spot ; 
and  Marmaduke  lent  a  more  attentive  ear  to  the  speaker,  who, 
after  waiting  a  moment,  to  see  the  effect  of  this  extraordinary 
development,  proceeded, — 

"  Yes>  sir,  I  have  "my  reasons,  and  at  a  proper  time  you  shall 
know  them." 

"  No  time  is  so  good  as  the  present" 

"Well,  well,  be  attentive,"  continued  Richard,  looking 
cautiously  about  him,  to  make  certain  that  no  eavesdropper 
was  hid  in  the  forest,  though  they  were  in  constant  motion  ;  "  I 
have  Been  Mohegan  and  the  Leather-stocking,  with  my  own  eyes 
— and  my  eyes  are.  as  good  as  anybody's  eyes — I  have  seen  them, 
I  say,  both  going  up  the  mountain  and  coming  down  it ;  with 
spades  and  picks ;  and  others  have  seen  them  carrying  things 
into  their  hut,  in  a  secret  and  mysterious  manner,  after  dark. 
Do  you  call  this  a  fact  of  importance  ?" 

The  Judge  did  not  reply,  but  his  brow  had  contracted,  with  a 
though tfulness  that-  he  always  wore  when  much  interested,  and 
his  eyes  rested  on  his  cousin  in'  expectation  of  hearing  more. 
Richard  continued, — 

"  It  was  ore.  Now,  sir,  I  ask  if  you  can  tell  me  who  this  Mr. 
Oliver  Edwards  is,  that  has  made  a  part  of  your  household  since 
Christmas  ? " 

Marmaduke  again  raised  his  eyes,  but  continued  silent,  shak- 
ing his  head  in  the  negative. 

"That -he  is  a  half-breed  we  know,  for  Mohegan  does  not 
scruple  to  call  him,  openly,  his  kinsman ;  that  he  is  well 
educated  we  know.  But  as  to  his  business  here  —  do  you 
remember  that  about  a  month  before  this  young  man  made  his 
appearance  among  us,  Natty  was  absent  from  home  several  'days  ? 
You  do  ;  for  you  inquired  for  him,  as  you  wanted  some  venison 
to  take  to  your  friends,  when  you  went  for  Bess.  Well,  he  was 
not  to  be  found.  Old  John  was  left  in  the  hut  alone  ;  and  when 
Natty  did  appear,  although  he  came  on  in  the  night,  he  was 
seen  drawing  one  of  those  jumpers  that  they  carry  their  grain 
to  mill  in,  and  to  take  out  something  with  great  care,  that  he 
had  covered  up  under  his  bear-skins.  Now  let  me  ask  you, 
Judge  Temple,  what  motive  could  induce  a  man  Jike  the 
Leather-stocking  to  make  a  sled,  and  toil  with  a  load  over  these 
mountains,  if  he  had  nothing  but  his  rifle  or  his  ammunition 
to  carry  ? " 

"They  frequently  make  these  jumpers  to  convey  their -game 
home,  and  you  say  he  had  been  absent  many  days." 
JLVHow^did  he  kill  it?     His  rifle  was  in  the.  village  to  bfl 


THE  PIONEERS.  267 

mended.  No,  no— that  he  was  gone  to  some  unusual  place  is 
certain ;  that  he  brought  back  some  secret  utensil*  IB  more 
certain  ;  and  that  he  has  not  allowed  a  soul  to  approach  his  hut 
since,  is  most  certain  of  all." 

"  He  was  never  fond  of  intruders  " 

"I  know  it,"  interrupted  Eichard  ;  "bat  did  he  drive  them 
from  his  cabin  morosely  ?  Within  a  fortnight  of  his  return, 
this  Mr.  Edwards  appears.  They  spend  whole  days  in  the 
mountains,  pretending  to  be  shooting,  but  in  reality  exploring ; 
the  frosts  prevent  their  digging  at  that  time,  and  he  avails 
himself  of  a  lucky  accident  to  get  into  good  quarters.  But 
even  now,  he  is  quite  half  of  his  time  in  that  hut — many  hours 
every  night.  They  are  smelting,  'duke,  they  are  smelting,  and 
as  they  grow  rich,  you  grow  poor." 

"  How  much  of  this  is  thine  own,  Eichard,  and  how  much 
comes  from  others  ?  I  would  eift  the  wheat  from  the  chaff." 

"  Part  is  my  own,  for.  I  saw  the  jumper,  though  it  was  broken 
up  and  burnt  in  a  day  or  two.  I  have  told  you  that  I  saw  tbe 
old  man  with  his  spades  and  picks.  Hiram  met  Natty,  as  he 
was  crossing  the  mountain,  the  night  of  his  arrival  with  the  sled, 
and  very  good-naturedly  offered  —  Hiiam  is  good-natured  —  to 
carry  up  part  of  his  load,  for  the  old  man  had  a  heavy  pull  up 
the  back  of  the  mountain,  but  he  wouldn't  listen  to  the  thing, 
and  repulsed  the  offer  in  such  a  manner  that  tbfe  Squire  eaid  he 
had  half  a  mind  to  swear  the  peace  against  him.  Since  the  mow 
has  been  off,  more  especially  after  the  frosts  got  out  of  the  ground, 
we  have  kept  a  watchful  eye  on  the  gentleman,  in  which  \ve  have 
found  Jotham  useful." 

Marmaduke  did  not  much  like  the  associates  of  Eichard  in 
this  business ;  still  he  knew  them  to  be  cunning  and  ready  in 
expedients ;  and  as  there  was  certainly  something  mysterious, 
not  only  in  the  connection  between  the  old  hunters  and  Edwards, 
but  in  what  his  cousin  had  just  related,  he  began  to  revolve  the 
subject  in  his  own  mind  with  more  care.  On  reflection,  he 
remembered  various  circumstances  that  tended  to  corroborate 
these  suspicions,  and,  as  'the  whole  business  favoured  one  of  his 
infirmities,  he  yielded  the  more  readily  to  their  impression.  The 
mind  of  Judge  Temple,  at  all  times  comprehensive,  had  received, 
from  his  peculiar  occupations,  a  bias  to  look  far  into  futurity,  in 
his  speculations  on  the  improvements  that  posterity  were  to  make 
in  his  lands.  To  his  eye,  where  others  saw  nothing  but  a  wilder- 
ness, towns,  manufactories,  bridges,  canals,  mines,  and  all  the 
other  resources  of  an  old  country  were  constantly  presenting 
themselves,  though  his  good  sense  suppressed,  in  some  degree,  the 
exhibition  of  these  expectations. 

As  the  Sheriff  allowed  his  cousin  full  tune  to  reflect  on  what 
he  had  heard,  the  probability  of  some  pecuniary  adventure  being 


268  THE  PIONEERS. 

the  connecting  link  in  the  chain  that  brought  Oliver  Edwards 
into  the  cabin  of  Leather-stocking,  appeared  to  him  each  moment 
to  be  stronger.  But  Marmaduke  was  too  much  in  the  habit  of 
examining  both  sides  of  a  subject,  not  to  perceive  the  objections, 
and  he  reasoned  with  himself  aloud  : — 

"  It  cannot  be  so,  or  the  youth  would  not  be  driven  so  near  the 
verge  of  poverty." 

"  What  so  likely  to  mase  a  man  dig  for  money,  as  being  poor  ? " 
cried  the  Sheriff. 

"  Besides,  there  is  an  elevation  of  character  about  Oliver,  that 
proceeds  from  education,  which  would  forbid  so  clandestine  a 
proceeding." 

"Could  an  ignorant  fellow  smelt  ?"  continued  Eichard. 

"  Bess  hints  that  he  was  reduced  even  to  his  last  shilling,  when 
we  took  him  into  our  dwelling." 

"He  had  been  buying  tools.  And  would  he  spend  his  last 
sixpence  for  a  shot  at  a  turkey,  had  he  not  known  where  to  get 
more  ? " 

"Can  I  have  possibly  been  so  long  a  dupe  !  His  manner  has 
been  rude  to  me  at  times  ;  but  I  attributed  it  to  his  con- 
ceiving himself  injured,  and  to  his  mistaking  the  forms  of  the 
world." 

"  Haven't  you  been  a  dupe  all  your  life,  'duke  ?  and  an't  what 
you  call  ignorance  of  forms  deep  cunning,  to  conceal  his  real 
character  ? '' 

"  If  he  were  bent  on  deception,  he  would  have  concealed  his 
knowledge,  and  passed  with  us  for  an  inferior  man." 

"  He  cannot.  I  could  no  more  pass  for  a  fool,  myself,  than  I 
could  fly.  Knowledge  is  not  to  be  concealed,  like  a  candle  under 
a  bushel" 

"  Richard,"  said  the  Judge,  turning  to  his  cousin,  "  there  are 
many  reasons  against  the  truth  of  thy  conjectures ;  but  thou  hast 
awakened  suspicions  which  must  be  satisfied.  But  why  are  we 
travelling  here  ? " 

"  Jotham,  who  has  been  much  in  the  mountain  latterly,  being 
ker»t  there  by  me  and  Hiram,  has  made  a  discovery,  which  he 
trill  not  explain,  he  says,  for  he  is  bound  by  an  oath  ;  but  the 
amount  is,  that  he  knows  where  the  ore  lies,  and  he  has  this  day 
begun  to  dig.  I  would  not  consent  to  the  thing,  'duke,  without 
your  knowledge,  for  the  land  is  yours ;  and  now  you  know  the 
reason  of  our  nde.  I  call  this  a  countermine,  ha  1 h 

"  And  where  is  tho  desirable  spot  ? "  asked  the  Judge,  with  an 
air  half  comical,  half  serious. 

"At  hand  ;  and  when  we  "have  vwited  that,  I  will  show  you 
one  of  the  places  that  we  have  found  within  a  week,  where 
our  hunters  have  been  amusing  theinaelvea  fcr  six  mouths 


THE  PIONEERS.  209 

The  gentlemen  continued  to  discuss  the  matter,  whil«  their 
horses  picked  their  way  under  the  branches  of  trees,  and  over  tho 
uneven  ground  of  the  mountain.  They  soon  arrived  at  the  end 
of  their  journey,  where,  in  truth,  they  found  Jotham  already 
buried  to  his  neck  in  a  hole  that  he  had  been  digging. 

.Marmaduke  questioned  the  miner  very  closely  as  to  his  reasons 
for  believing  in  the  existence  of  the  precious  metals  near  that 
particular  spot ;  but  the  fellow  maintained  an  obstinate  mystery 
in  his  answers.  He  asserted  that  he  had  the  best  of  reasons  for 
v/hat  he  did,  and  inquired  of  the  Judge  what  portion  of  the 
profits  would  fall  to  his  own  share,  in  the  event  ot  success,  with 
an  earnestness  that  proved  his  faith.  After  spending  an  hour 
near  the  place,  examining  the  stones,  and  searching  for  the  usual 
indications  of  the  proximity  of  ore,  the  Judge  remounted,  and 
suffered  his  cousin  to  lead  the  way  to  the  place  where  the 
mysterious  trio  had  been  making  their  excavation. 

The  spot  chosen  by  Jotham  was  on  the  back  of  the  mountain 
that  overhung  the  hut  of  Leather-stocking,  and  the  place  selected 
by  Natty  and  his  companions  was  on  the  other  side  of  the  same 
hill,  but  above  the  road,  and,  of  course,  in  an  opposite  direction 
to  the  route  taken  by  the  ladies  in  their  walk. 

"  We  shall  be  safe  in  approaching  the  place  now,"  eaid  Bichard, 
while  they  dismounted  and  fastened  their  horses  ;  "for  I  took  a 
look  with  the  glass,  and  saw  John  and  Leather- stocking  in  their 
canoe  fishing,  before  we  left  home,  and  Oliver  is  in  the  same 
pursuit ;  but  these  may  be  nothing  but  shams,  to  blind  our  eyes, 
BO  we  will  be  expeditious,  for  it  would  not  be  pleasant  to  be 
caught  here  by  them." 

'QJot  on  my  own  land  1 n  said  Marmaduke  sternly.  "  If  it 
be  as  you  suspect,  I  will  know  their  reasons  for  making  this 
excavation." 

"  Mum,"  said  Richard,  laying  a  finger  on  Bis  lip,  and  leading 
the  way  down  a  very  difficult  descent  to  a  sort  of  natural  cavern, ' 
which  was  formed  in  the  face  of  the  rock,  and  was  not  unlike  a 
fireplace  in  shape.  In  front  of  this  place  lay  a  pile  of  earth, 
which  had  evidently  been  taken  from  the  recess,  and  part  of 
which  was  yet  fresh.  An  examinatirn  of  the  exterior  of  the 
cavern  left  the  Judge  in  doubt  whether  it  was  one  of  nature's 
frolics  that  had  tlirown  it  into  that  shape,  or  whether  it  had  been 
wrought  by  the  hands  of  man,  at  some  earlier  period.  But  there 
could  be  no  doubt  that  the  whole  of  the  interior  was  of  recent 
formation,  and  the  marks  of  the  pick  were  still  visible,  where  the 
soft,  lead-coloured  rock  had  opposed  itself  to  the  progress  of  the 
miners.  The  whole  formed  an  excavation  of  about  twenty  feet  La 
width,  and  nearly  twice  that  distance  in  depth.  The  height  was 
much  greater  than  was  required  for  the  ordinary  purposes  of 
experiment ;  but  thia  was  evidently  the  effect  of  chancdf  as  tha 


STO  THE  PIONEERS. 

\ 

'roof  of  the  cavern  was  a  natural  stratum  of  rock,  that  projected 
many  leet  beyond  the  base  of  the  pile.  Immediately  in  front  of 
the  recess,  or  cave,  was  a  little  terrace,  partly  formed  by  nature 
and  partly  by  the  earth  that  had  been  carelessly  thrown  aside  by 
the  labourers.  The  mountain  fell  off  precipitately  in  front  of  the 
terrace,  and  the  approach  by  its  sides,  under  the  ridge  of  the 
rocks,  was  difficult  and  a  little  dangerous.  The  whole  was  wild, 
rude,  and  apparently  incomplete  :  for,  while  looking  among  the 
bushes,  the  Sheriff  found  the  very  implements  that  had  been  used 
in  the  work. 

When  the  Sheriff  thought  that  his  cousin  had  examined  the 
spot  sufficiently,  he  asked  solemnly, — 

"  Judge  Temple,  are  you  satisfied  » " 

"  Perfectly,  that  there  is  something  mysterious  and  perplexing 
in  this  business.  It  is  a  secret  spot,  and  cunningly  devised, 
Richard ;  yet  I  see  no  symptoms  of  ore." 

"  Do  you  expect,  sir,  to  find  gold  and  silver  lying  like  pebbles 
on  the  surface  of  the  earth  1 — dollars  and  dimes  ready  coined  to 
your  hands  1  No,  no — the  treasure  must  be  sought  after  to  be 
won.  But  let  them  mine  ;  I  shall  countermine." 

The  Judge  took  an  accurate  survey  of  the  place,  and  noted  in 
his  memorandum-book  such  marks  as  were  necessary  to  find  it 
a^ain,  in  the  event  of  Richard's  absence  ;  when  the  cousins 
returned  to  their  horses. 

On  reaching  the  highway  they  separated,  the  Sheriff  to 
summon  twenty-four  "  good  men  and  true,"  to  attend  as  the 
inquest  of  the  county,  on  the  succeeding  Monday,  when  Marina- 
duke  held  his  stated  court  of  "  common  pleas  and  general  sessions 
of  the  peace,"  and  the  Judge  to  return,  musing  daeply  on  what  he 
had  seen  and  heard  in  the  course  of  the  morning. 

When  the  horse  of  the  latter  reached  the  spot  where  the  high- 
way fell  towards  the  valley,  the  eye  of  Marmaduke  rested,  it  is 
true,  on  the  same  scene  that  had,  ton  minutes  before,  been  so 
eootning  to  the  feelings  of  his  daughter  and  her  friend,  as  they 
emerged  from  the  forest ;  but  it  rested  in  vacancy.  He  threw  the 
reins  to  his  sure-footed  beast,  and  suffered  the  animal  to  travel  at 
its  own  gait,  while  he  soliloquised  as  follows  : — 

"There  may  be  more  in  this  than  I  at  first  supposed. — I  have 
suffered  my  feeling  to  blind  my  reasoo,  in  admitting  an  unknown 
youth  in  this  manner  to  my  dwelling  ; — yet  this  is  not  the  land 
of  suspicion,  I  will  have  the  Leather-stocking  before  me,  and, 
by  a  few  direct  questions,  extract  the  truth  from  the  simply 
old  man." 

At  that  instant  the  Judge  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  figures  ol 
Elizabeth  and  Louisa,  who  were  slowly  descending  the  mountain, 
a  short  distance  before  him.  He  put  spurs  to  his  horse,  and 
riding  up  to  them,  dismounted^and  drove  his  steed  along  th a 


THE  PIONEERS.  871 

narrow  path.  While  the  agitated  parent  was  listening  to  the 
vivid  description  that  his  daughter  gave  of  her  recent  danger, 
and  her  unexpected  escape,  all  thoughts  of  mines,  vested  rightsy 
and  examinations  were  absorbed  in  emotion ;  and  when  the 
image  of  Natty  again  crossed  his  recollection,  it  was  not  as  a 
lawless  and  depredating  squatter,  but  as  the  preserver  of  his 


CHAPTER   XXX. 

The  court  awards  it,  and  tbe  law  doth  give  it—  Merchant  of  Venice, 

REMARKABLE  PETTiBOXE,  who  had  forgotten  tne  wound  received 
by  her  pride,  in.  the  contemplation  of  the  ease  and  comforts  of  her 
situation,  and  who  still  retained  her  station  in  the  family  ol 
Judge  Temple,  was  despatched  to  the  humble  dwelling  which 
Richard  already  styled  "  The  Rectory,"  in  attendance  on  Louisa, 
who  was  soon  consigned  to  the  arms  of  her  father. 

In  the  meantime '  Marinaduke  and  his  daughter  were  closeted 
for  more  than  an  hour,  nor  shall  we  invade  the  sanctuary  of 
parental  love,  by  relating  the  conversation. — When  the  curtain 
rises  on  the  reader,  the  Judge  is  seen  walking  up  and  down  the 
apartment,  with  a  tender  melancholy  in  his  air,  and  his  child 
reclining  on  a  settee,  "with  a  flushed  cheek,  and  her  dark  eyes 
seeming  to  float  in  crystals. 

"  It  was  a  timely  rescue  !  it  was,  indeed,  a  timely  rescue,  my 
child  1 "  cried  the  Judge.  "  Then  thou  didst  not  desert  thy 
friend,  my  noble  Bess  1 " 

"I  believe  I  may  as  well  take  the  credit  of  fortitude,"  said 
•Elizabeth,  "  though  I  much  doubt  if  flight  would  have  availed  me 
anything,  had  I  even  courage  to  execute  such  an  intention.  But 
I  thought  not  of  the  expedient." 

"Of  what  didst  thou  think,  love?  where  did  thy  thoughts 
dwell  most,  at  that  fearful  moment  ? " 

"  The  beast !  the  beast ! "  cried  Elizabeth,  veiling  her  face  with 
her  hand  :  "  Oh  1  I  saw  nothing,  I  thought  of  nothing,  but  tho 
beast  I  tried  to  think  of  better  things,  out  the  horror  was  too 
glaring,  the  danger  too  much  before  my  eyes." 

"  Well,  well,  thou  art  safe,  and  we  will  converse  no  more  on 
the  unpleasant  subject.  I  did  not  think  Mich  an  animal  yet 
remained  in  our  forests  ;  but  they  will  stray  far  from  their 
haunts  when  pressed  by  hunger,  and" — 

A  loud  knocking  at  the  door  of  the  apartment  interrupted 
what  he  was  about  to  utter,  and  he  bid  the  applicant  enter.  The 
door  wa«  opened  by  Benjamin,  who  came  in  with  a  discontented 
air,  as  if  he  felt  that  he  had  a  communication  to  make  that 
-»ould  be  out  of  season. 


THE  PIONEERS.  273 

"  Here  is  Squire  Doolittle  below,  sir,"  commenced  the  major- 
domo.  "  He  has  been  standing  off  and  ou  in  the  door-yard,  for 
the  matter  of  a  glass  ;  and  he  has  sum'mat  on  his  maid  that  he 
wants  to  heave  up,  d'ye  see  ;  but  I  tells  him,  says  I,  man,  would 

Jou  be  coming  aboard  with  your  complaints,  said  I,  when  the 
udge  has  gotten  his  own  child,  as  it  were,  out  of  the  jaws  of  a 
lion  ?  But  damn  the  bit  of  manners  has  the  fallow,  any  more 
than  if  he  was  one  of  them  Guineas,  down  IB  the  kitchen  there  ; 
and  so  as  he  was  sheering  nearer,  every  stretch  he  made  towards 
the  house,  I  could  do  no  better  than  to  let  your  honour  know  that 
the  chap  was  in  the  offing." 

"  He  must  have  business  of  importance,"  said  Marmaduke  ; 
"something  in  relation io  his  office,  most  probably,  as  the  court 
sits  so  shortly." 

"Ay,  ay,  you  have  it,  sir,"  cried  Benjamin,  "it's  sum'mat 
about  a  complaint  that  he  has  to  make  of  the  old  Leather- 
stocking,  who,  to  my  judgment,  is  the  better  man  of  the  two. 
It's  a  very  good  sort  of  a  man  is  this  Master  Bumppo,  and  he  has 
a  way  with  a  spear,  all  the  same  as  if  he  was  brought  up  at  the 
bow  oar  of  the  captain's  barge,  or  was  born  with  a  boat-hook  in 
his  hand." 

"  Against  the  Leather-stocking  I "  cried  Elizabeth,  rising  from 
her  reclining  posture. 

"Rest  easy,  my  child;  some  trifle,  I  pledge  you;  I  believ* 
I  am  already  acquainted  with  its  import.  Trust  me,  Bess, 
your  champion  shall  be  safe  in  my  care.  Show  Mr.  Doolittle 
in,  Benjamin." 

Miss  Temple  appeared  satisfied  with  this  assurance,  but 
fastened  her  dark  eyes  on  the  person  of  the  architect,  who 
profited  by  the  permission,  and  instantly  made  his  appearance. 

All  the  impatience  of  Hiram  seemed  to  vanish  the  instant  he 
entered  the  apartment.  After  saluting  the  Judge  and  his 
daughter,  he  took  the  chair  to  which  Marmaduke  pointed,  and 
sat  for  a  minute,  composing  his  straight  black  hair,  with  a  gravity 
of  demeanour  that  was  intended  to  do  honour  to  hia  official 
station.  At  length  he  said, — 

"  It's  likely,  from  what  I  hear,  that  Miss  Temple  had  a  pretty 
narrow  chance  with  the  painters,  on  the  mountain." 

Mai'maduke  made  a  gentle  inclination  of  his  head,  by  way  of 
assent,  but  continued  silent. 

"I  s'pose  the  law  gives  a  bounty  on  the  scalps,"  continued 
Hiram,  "  in  which  case  the  Leather-stocking  will  make  a  good 
job  on't" 

"  It  shall  be  my  care  to  ee«  that  he  is  rewarded,"  returned  the 
Judge. 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  rather  guess  that  nobody  hereabouts  doubts  the 
Judge's  generosity.  Does'  he  know  whether  the  Sheriff  ha« 


274  THE  PIONEERS. 

fairly  made  up  his  mind  to  have  a  reading-desk  or  a  deacon's 
pew  under  the  pulpit  ? " 

'*  I  have  not  heard  my  cousin  e^eak  on  that  subject,  lately," 
replied  Marmaduke. 

"  I  think  it's  likely  that  we  will  have  a  pretty  dull  court  on't, 
from  what  I  can  gather.  I  hear  that  Jotham  Riddel  and  the 
man  who  bought  his  betterments  have  agreed  to  leave  their 
difference  to  men,  and  I  don't  think  there'll  be  more  than  two 
civil  cases  in  the  calendar." 

"lam  glad  of  it,"  said  tne  Judge  ;  "nothing  gives  me  inoro 
pain  than  to  see  my  settlers  wasting  their  time  and  substance  in 
the  unprofitable  struggles  of  the  law.  I  hope  it  may  prove 
true,  sir." 

*  I  rather  guess  'twill  be  left  out  to  men,"  added  Hiram,  with 
an  air  equally  balanced  between  doubt  and  assurance,  but  which 
Judge  Temple  understood  to  mean  certainty ;  "  I  some  think 
that  I  am  appointed  a  referee  in  the  case  myself ;  Jotham  as 
much  as  told  me  that  he  should  take  me.  The  defendant,  I  guess, 
means  to  take  Captain  Hollister,  and  we  two  have  partly  agreed 
on  Squire  Jones  for  the  third  man." 

"  Are  there  any  criminals  to  be  tried  ? "  asked  Marmaduke. 

"There's  the  counterfeiters,"  returned  the  magistrate:  "as 
they  were  caught  in  the  fact,  I  think  it  likely  that  they'll  be 
indicted,  in  which  case  it's  probable  they'll  be  tried." 

"Certainly,  sir,  I  had  forgotten  those  men.  There  are  no 
more,  I  hope." 

"Why,  there  is  a  threaten  to  come  forrad  with  an  assault 
that  happened  at  the  last  Independence  day  ;  but  I'm  not  sartain 
that  the  law5!!  take  hold  on't  There  was  plaguey  hard  words 
passed,  but  whether  they  struck  or  not  I  haven't  heard.  There's 
some  folks  talk  of  a  deer  or  two  being  killed  out  of  season, 
over  on  the  west  side  of  the  Patent,  by  some^of  the  squatters  on 
the  « Fraction*'  * 

"Let  a  complaint  be  made,  by  all  means,"  cried  the  ftudge; 
"  I  am  determined  to  see  the  law  executed  to  the  letter,  on  all 
such  depredators."  ; 

"  Why,  yes,  I  thought  the  Judge  was  of  that  mind  ;  I  come 
partly  on  such  a  business  myself." 

"  You  1 "  exclaimed  Marmaduke,  comprehending  in  an  instant 
how  completely  he  had  been  caught  by  the  otneVs  cunning.; 
"  and  what  have  you  to  say,  sir  ? a 

"  I  some  think  that  Natty  Bumppo  has  the  carcaae  of  a  deer 
in  his  hat  at  this  moment,  ana  a  considerable  part  of  my 
business  was  to  get  a  search- warrant  to  examine." 

"  You  think,  sir  I  do  you  know  that  the  law  exacts  an  oath, 
before  I  can  issue  such  ?,  precept  ?  The  habitation  of  a  citken  is 
to  be  idly  invaded  onjight  suspicion." 


THE  PIONEERS.  276 

"  I  rather  think  I  can  swear  to  it  myself,"  returned  the 
immovable  Hiram  ;  "and  Jotham  is  in  the  street,  and  as  good  as 
ready  to  come  in  and  make  oath  to  the  same  thing." 

"  Then  issue  the  warrant  thyself ;  thou  art  a,  magistrate,  Mr. 
Doolittla;  why  tioublc  me  with  the  matter?" 

"  Why,  seeing  it's  the  first  complaint  under  the  law,  and 
knowing  the  Judge  set  his  heart  on  the  thing,  I  thought  it  best 
that  the  authority  to  search  should  come  from  himself.  Besides, 
as  I'm  much  in  the  woods,  among  the  timber,  I  don't  altogether 
like  making  an  enemy  of  the  Leather-stocking.  Now  the  Judge 
has  a  weight  in  the  county  that  puts  him  above  fear." 

Miss  Temple  turned  her  face  to  the  callous  architect,  as  she 
said, — 

"And  what  has  any  honest  person  to  dread  from  so  kind  a 
man  as  Burnppo?" 

"  Why,  it's  as  easy,  Miss,  to  pull  a  rifle  trigger  on  a  magistrate 
as  on  a  painter.  But  if  the  Judge  don't  conclude  to  issue  the 
warrant,  I  must  go  home  and  make  it  out  myself." 

"  I  have  not  refused  your  application,  sir,"  said  Mannaduke, 
perceiving  at  once  that  his  reputation  for  impartiality  was  at 
stake  ;  "  go  into  my  office,  Mr.  JDoolittle,  where  I  will  join  you, 
and  sign  the  warrant." 

Judge  Temple  stopped  the  remonstrances  which  Elizabeth 
was  about  to  utter,  after  Hiram  had  withdrawn,  by  laying  his 
hand  on  her  mouth,  and  saying, — 

"  It  is  more  terrific  in  sound  than  frightful  in  reality,  my 
child.  I  suppose  that  the  Leather-stocking  has  shot  a  deer,  for 
the  season  is  nearly  over,  and  you  say  that  he  was  hunting  with 
his  dogs  when  he  came  so  timely  to  your  assistance.  But  it  will 
be  only  to  examine  his  cabin,  and  find  the  animal,  when  you 
can  pay  the  penalty  out  of  your  own  pocket,  Bess.  Nothing 
short  of  the  twelve  dollars  and  a  half  will  satisfy  this  harpy,  I 
perceive;  and 'surely  my  reputation  as  a  Judge  is  -worth  that 
trifle." 

Elizabeth  was  a  good  deal  pacified  with  this  assurance, 
and  suffered  her  father  to  leave  her,  to  fulfil  his  promise  to 
Hiram. 

When  Marmaduke  left  his  office,  after  executing  his  dis- 
agreeable duty,  he  met  Oliver  Edwards,  walking  up  the  gravelled 
walk  in  front  of  the  Mansion  house,  with  great  strides,  and  with 
a  face  agitated  by  feeling.  On  seeing  Judge  Temple,  the  youth 
turned  aside,  and  with  a  warmth  in  his  manner  that  was  not 
often  exhibited  to  Marmaduke,  he  cried, — 

"  I  congratulate  you,  sir  ;  from  the  bottom  of  my  soul  I 
congratulate  you,  Judge  Temple.  Oh  !  it  would  have  been  too 
horrid  to  have  recollected  for  a  moment !  I  have  just  left  the 
hut,  where,  after  showing  me  his  scalps,  old  Natty  told  me  of 


SV6  THE  PIONEERS. 

the  escape  of  the  kdies,  as  a  thing  to  be  mentioned  last 
Indeed,  indeed,  sir,  no  words  of  mine  can  express  half  pf  what 
I  have  felt" — the  youth  paused  a  moment,  as  if  suddenly 
recollecting  that  he  was  overstepping  prescribed  Hmits,  and 
concluded  with  a  good  deal  of  embarrassment — "  what  I  have 
felt  of  this  danger  to  Miss — Grant,  and— and  your  daughter 
sir." 

But  the  heart  of  Marmaduke  was  too  much  softened  to  admit 
of  his  cavilling  at  trifles,  and  without  regarding  the  confusion  of 
the  other,  he  replied, — 

"  I  thank  thee,  thank  thee,  Oliver  ,  as  thou  sayest,  it  is  almost 
too  horrid  to  be  remembered.  But  come,  let  us  hasten  to  Bess, 
for  Louisa  has  already  gone  to  the  Rectory." 

The  young  man  sprang  forward,  and  throwing  open  a  door, 
barely  permitted  the  Judge  to  precede  him,  when  he  was  in  the 
presence  of  Elizabeth  in  a  moment. 

The  cold  distance  that  often  crossed  the  demeanour  of  the 
heiress  in  her  intercourse  with  Edwards,  was  now  entirely 
banished,  and  two  hours  were  passed  by  the  party  in  the  free, 
unembarrassed,  and  confidiug  manner  of  old  and  esteemed 
friends.  Judge  Temple  had  forgotten  the  suspicions  engendered 
during  his  morning's  ride,  and  the  youth  and  maiden  conversed, 
laughed,  and  were  sad  by  turns,  as  impulse  directed.  At  length 
Edwards,  after  repeating  his  intention  to  do  so  for  the  third 
time,  left  the  Mansion-house  to  go  to  the  Rectory,  on  a  similar 
errand  of  friendship. 

During  this  short  period,  a  scene  was  passing  at  the  hut  that 
completely  frustrated  the  benevolent  intentions  of  Judge  Temple 
in  favour  of  the  Leather-stocking,  and  at  once  destroyed  the 
shortlived  harmony  between  the  youth  and  Marmaduke. 

When  Hiram  Doolittle  had  obtained  his  eearch- warrant,  his 
first  business  was  to  procure  a  proper  officer  to  see  it  executed, 
The  Sheriff  was  absent,  summoning  in  person  the  grand  inquest 
for  the  county  ;  the  deputy,  who  resided  in  the  village,  was 
riding  on  the  same  errand  in  a  different  part  of  the  settlement ; 
and  the  regular  constable  of  the  township  had  been  selected  for 
his  station  from  motives  of  charity,  being  lame  of  a  leg.  Hiram 
intended  to  accompany  the  officer  as  a  spectator,  but  he  felfc  no 
very  strong  desire  to  bear  the  brunt  of  the  battle.  It  was,  how- 
ever, Saturday,  aud  the  sun  was  already  turning  the  shadows  of 
the  pines  towards  the  east ;  on  the  morrow  the  conscientious 
magistrate  could  not  engage  in  such  an  expedition  at  the  peril  of 
his  soul ;  and  long  before  Monday  the  venison,  and  all  vestiges 
of  the  death  of  the  deer,  might  be  secreted  or  destroyed. 
Happily  the  lounging  form  of  Billy  Kirby  met  his  eye,  and 
Hiram,  at  all  times  fruitful  in  similar  expedients,  saw  his  way 
clear  at  once.  Jotliani,  who  was  associated  in  the  whole  business, 


•±  HE  PIONEEPS.  277 

and  who  had  left  the  mounlain  in  consequence  of  a  summons 
from  his  coadjutor,  but  who  failed,  equally  with  Hiradi,  in  the 
unfortunate  particular  of  nerve,  was  directed  to  summon  the 
wood-chopper  to  the  dwelling  of  the  magistrate. 

When  Billy  appeared,  he  was  very  kindly  invited  to  take  the 
chair  in  which  IK:  had  already  seated  himself,  and  was  treated  in 
all  respects  as  {The  were  an  equal. 

"  Judge  Temple  has  set  his  heart  on  putting  the  deer  law  in 
force,"  said  Hiram,  after  the  preliminary  civilities  were  over, 
"  and  a. Complaint  has  been  kid  before  him  that  a  deer  has  beeu 
killed.  He  nas  issued  a  search-warrant,  and  sent  for  me  to  get 
somebody  to  execute  it" 

Kirby,  who  had 'no  idea  of  being  excluded  from  the  delibera- 
tive part  of  any  affair  in  which  he  was  engaged,  drew  up  his 
bushy  head  in  a  reflecting  attitude,  and,  aft/r  musing  a  moment, 
replied  by  asking  a  few  questions. 

"  The  Sheriff  is  gone  out  of  the  way  ? " 

"  Not  to  be  found." 

"  And  his  deputy  too  ?  " 

"  Both  gone  on  the  skirts  of  the  Patent" 

"But  I  saw  the  constable  hobbling  about  town  an  hour 
ago." 

"Ye?,  yes,"  said  Hiram,  with  a  coaxing  smile  and  knowing 
nod,  "  but  this  business  wants  a  man — not  a  cripple," 

"Why,"  said  Billy,  laughing,  "will  the  ehai>  make  fight?" 

"  lie's  a  little  quarrelsome  at  times,  and  thinks  he  a  the  best 
man  in  the  county  at  rough  and  tumble." 

li  I  heard  him  brag  on<  e,"  said  Jotham,  "  that  there  wasn't  & 
man  'twixt  the  Mohawk  Flats  and  the  Penusylvany  line  that  was 
his  match  at  a  close  hug." 

"Did  you?"  exclaimed  Kirby,  raising  his  huge  frame  in  his 
seat,  like  a  lion  stretching  in  his  lair :  "  I  rather  i^uess  he  never 
felt  a  Vermosnter's  knuckles  on  his  backbone  But  who  is  the 
chap?" 

"Why,"  said  Jotham,  "its"— 

"It's  ag*in  law  to  tell,''  interrupted  Hiram,  "unless  yon  11 
qualify  to  sarve.    You'd  be  the  very  man  to  take  him,  Bill 
and  I'll  make  out  a  special  deputation  in  a  minute,  when  you 
will  get  the  fees." 

"  What's  the  fees  ? "  said  Kirby,  laying  his  large  hand  on. 
the  leaves  of  a  statute-book,  that  Hiram  had  opened  in  order  to 
give  dignity  to  his  office,  which  he  turned  over,  in  his  rough 
manner,  as  if  he  were  reflecting  on  a  subject  about  which  he  had, 
in  truth,  already  decided ;  "  will  they  pay  a  man  for  a  broker 
head?" 

"They'll  be  something  handsome,"  said  Hiram. 

"  Damn  the  fees,"  said  BUly,  ao;ain  laughing—"  does  the  fellow 


78  THE  PIONEERS. 

think  he's  th«  best  wrestler  in  tire  county,  though  ?  -what's  hie 
i  aches?" 

"  He's  taller  than  yon  be,"  said  Jothara.  "  and  one  of  the 
biggest  "— 

Talkers,  he  was  about  to  add,  but  the  impatience  of  Kirby 
interrupted  him.  The  wood-chopper  had  nothing  fierce,  or  even 
brutal,  in  his  appearance  ;  the  character  of  his  expression  was 
that  •£  good-natured  vanity.  It  was  evident  he  prided  himself 
on  the  powers  of  the  physical  man,  like  all  who  have  nothing 
better  to  boast  of ;  and,  stretching  out  his  broad-hand,  with  the 
palm  downward,  he  said,  keeping  his  eyes  fisteriefa  on  his  owa 
bones  and  sinews, — 

"  Come,  give  xis  a  touch  of  the  book.  I'll  swear,  and  you'll 
see  that  I'm  a  man  to  keep  uiy  oath." 

Hiram  did  not  give  the  wood-chopper  time  to  change  his 
inind,  but  the  oath  was  administered  without  unnecessary  delay. 
So  soon  as  this  preliminary  was  completed,  the  three  v*nthies 
left  the  house,  and  proceeded  by  the  nearest  road  towards  the 
hut  They  had  reached  the  bank  of  the  lake,  and  were  diverging 
from  the  route  of  the  highway  before  Knby  recollected  that  he 
was  entitled  to  the  privileges  of  the  initiated,  and  repeated  his 
question  as  to  the  name  of  the  offender. 

"Which  way,  which  way,  Squire?"  exclaimed  the  haidy 
wood-chopper ;  "  I  thought  it  was  to  search  a  house  that  you 
wanted  me,  not  the  woods.  There  is  nobody  lives  on  this  side 
of  the  lake  for  six  miles,  unless  you  count  the  Leather-stockino; 
and  old  John  for  settlers.  Couie,  tell  me  the  chap's  name,  ana 
[  warrant  me  that  I  lead  you  to  his  clearing  by  a  stmightrr 
path  than  this,  for  I  know  every  sapling  that  grows  within  two 
miles  of  Teiupletown/' 

"  This  is  the  way,"  said  Hiram,  pointing  forward,  and  quicken- 
ing his  step  as  if  apprehensive  that  Kirby  would  desert,  "and 
Bumppo  is  the  man. 

Kirby  stopped  short,  and  looked  from  one  of  his  companions 
to  the  other  in  astonishment.  He  then  burst  into  a  loud  laugh, 
and  cried, — 

"  Who  ?  Leather-stocking !  he  may  brag  of  his  aim  and  his 
rifle,  for  he  has  the  best  of  both,  as  I  will  O\\TI  myself,  lor  sin' 
he  shot  the  pigeon  I  knock  under  to  him  ;  but  for  a  wrestle  ! 
•vhy,  I  would  take  the  creater  between  my  tinker  and  thumb, 
and  tie  him  in  a  bow-knot  around  my  neck  for  a  Barcelony. 
The  man  is  seventy,  and  was  never  anything  particular  for 
strength." 

"  He's  a  deceiving  man,"  said  Hiram,  "  like  all  the  hunters  ; 
he  is  stronger  than  he  seems  ;  besides,  he  has  his  rinY." 

"  That  for  his  rifle ! '"'  cried  Billy ;  "  ht'd  no  more  hurt  UK 
with  bis  rifle  than  he'd  fly.  He  is  £  harmles9  creater,  and  I  most 


THB  PIONEEliS.  270 

eay  that  I  think  he  has  as  good  right  to  kill  deer  as  any  man  on 
the  Patent  It's  his  main  support,  and  this  is  a  free  country, 
where  a  man  is  privileged  to  follow  any  calling  he  likes." 

"According  to  that  doctrine,"  said  Jotham,  ."anybody  may 
shoot  a  deer.' 

"  This  is  the  man's  calling,  I  tell  you,"  returned  Kirby,  "  and 
the  law  was  never  made  for  such  as  he." 

"  The  law  was  made  for  all,"  observed  Hiram,  who  began  to 
think  that  the  danger  was  likely  to  fall  to  his  own  share,  not- 
withstanding his  management ;  "and  the  law  is  particular  in 
noticing  parjury." 

"  See  here,  Souire  Doolittle,"  said  the  reckless  wood-chopper  ; 
"  I  don't  care  the  valie  of  a  beetlering  for  you  and  your  parjury 
too.  But  as  I  have  come  BO  far,  I'll  go  down  and  have  a  talk 
with  the  old  man,  and  maybe  we'll  fry  a  steak  of  the  deer 
together." 

"  "Well,  if  you  can  get  in  peaceably,  so  much  the  better,"  said 
the  magistrate.  "  To  my  notion,  strife  is  very  unpopular ;  I 
prefar,  at  all  times,  clever  conduct  to  an  ugly  temper. 

As  the  whole  party  moved  at  a  great  pace,  they  soon  reached 
the  hut,  where  Hiram  thought  it  prudent  to  halt  on  the  outside 
of  the  top  of  the  fallen  pine,  which  formed  a  chevaux-de-frise  to 
defend  the  approach  to  the  fortress  on  the  side  next  to  the  village. 
The  delay  was  but  little  relished  by  Kirby,  who  clapped  his 
hands  to  his  mouth,  and  gave  a  loud  halloo,  that  brought  the 
dogs  out  of  their  kennel,  and,  almost  at  the  same  instant,  the 
scantily  covered  head  of  Natty  from  the  door. 

"  Lie  down,,  old  fool,"  cried  the  hunter  ;  "  do  you  think  there's 
more  painters  about  you  1" 

"  Ha  1  Leather-stocking,  I've  an  arrand  with  you,"  cried  Kirby ; 
"  here's  the  good  people  of  the  State  have  been  writing  you  a 
small  letter,  and  they've  hired  me  to  ride  post." 

"  What  would  you  have  with  me,  Billy  Kirby  ! "  said  Natty, 
stepping  across  his  threshold,  and  raising  his  hand  over  his 
eyes  to  screen  them  from  the  rays  of  the  setting  sun,  while  he 
took  a  survey  of  his  visitor.  "  I've  no  land  to  clear  ;  •and  heaven 
knows  I  would  set  out  six  trees  afore  I  would  cut  down  one. 
Down,  Hector,  I  pay  ;  into  your  kennel  with  ye." 

"  Would  you,  old  boy  ? "  roared  Billy  ;  "  then  so  much  the 
better  for  me.  But  I  must  do  my  arrand.  Here's  a  letter  for 
you,  Leather-stocking.  If  you  can  read  it,  it's  all  well,  and  if 
you  can't,  here's  Squire  Doolittle  at  hand  to  let  you  know  what 
it  means.  It'  seems  you  mistook  the  twentieth  of  July  for  the 
first  of  August,  that's  all." 

By  this  time  Natty  had  discovered  the  lank  person  of  Hiram, 
drawn  up  under  the  tover  of  a  high  stump  ;  and  all  that  wa.a 
complacent  in  his  manner  instantly  gave  way  to  marked  distrust 


280  THE  PIONEERS. 

and  dissatisfaction.  He  placed  his  head  within  the  door  of  hia 
hut,  and  said  a  few  words  in  an  undertone,  when  he  again 
appeared,  and  continued, — 

"  I've  nothing  for  ye  ;  so  away,  afore  tho  evil  one  tempts  mo 
to  do  you  harm.  I  owe  you  no  spite,  Billy  Kirby,  and  what 
for  should  you  trouble  an  old  man  who  has  done  you  no 
harm  ? " 

Kirby  advanced  through  the  top  of  the  pine  to  within  a  few 
feet  of  the  hunter,  where  he  seated  himself  on  the  end  of  a  log 
with  great  composure,  and  began  to  examine  the  nose  of  Ht-clor, 
with  whom  he  was  familiar,  from  their  frequently  meeting  in 
the  woods,  where  he  sometimes  fed  the  dog  from  his  ornx  basket 
of  provisions. 

"  You've  outshot  me,  and  I'm  not  ashamed  to  say  it,"  paid  tho 
wood-chopper  ;  "  but  I  don't  owe  you  a  grudge  for  that,  Natty  I 
though  it  seems  that  you've  shot  once  too  often,  for  the  btorf 
goes  that  you've  killed  a  buck." 

"I've  fired  hut  twice  to-day,  and  both  times  at  the  pain ter-V 
returned  the  Leather-stocking  ;  "  see,  here  are  the  scalps  1  I  was 
just  going  in  with  them  to  the  Judge's  to  ask  the  bounty." 

While  Natty  was  speaking,  he  to&sed  the  ears  to  Kirby,  who 
continued  playing  with  them  with  a  careless  air,  holding  them 
to  the  dogs,  and  laughing  at  their  movements  when  they  scented 
the  unusual  game. 

But  Hiram,  emboldened  by  the  advance  of  the  deputed  con- 
stable, now  ventured  to  approach  also,  and  took  up  the  discourse 
with  the  air  of  authority  that  became  his  commission.  His  first 
measure  was  to  read  the  warrant  aloud,  taking  care  to  give  due 
emphasis  to  the  most  material  parts,  and  concluding  with  the 
name  of  the  Judge  in  very  audible  and  distinct  tones. 

"Did  Marmadukc  Temple  put  his  name  to  that  Lit  of  paper  ?" 
said  Natty,  shaking  his  head  ;  "  well,  well,  that  man  lovea  the 
new  ways,  and  his  betterments,  and  his  lands,  afore  his  own  flesh 
and  blood.  But  I  won't  mistrust  the  gal ;  she  has  an  eye  like  a 
full-grown  buck  I  poor  thing,  she  didn't  choose  her  father,  and 
can't  help  it.  I  know  but  little  of  thp  law,  Mr.  Doolittle  ;  what 
is  to  be  done,  now  you  have  read  your  commission  ? " 

"  Oh  !  it's  nothing  but  form,  Natty,"  said  Hiram,  endeavouring 
to  assume  a  friendly  aspect.  "  Let's  go  in,  and  talk  the  thing 
over  in  reason  I  dare  to  say  that  the  money  can  be  easily 
found,  and  I  partly  conclude,  from  what  passed,  that  Judgo 
Temple  will  pay  it  himself." 

The  old  hunter  had  kept  a  keen  eye  on  the  movements  of  his 
three  visitors  from  the  beginning,  and  had  maintained  his 
position,  just  without  the  threshold  of  his  cabin,  with  a  deter- 
mined manner,  that  showed  he  was  not  to  be  easily  driven  from 
his  post.  When  Hiram  drew  nigher,  as  if  expecting  his  pro- 


THK  PIONEERS.  ,281 

position  would  be  accepted,  Natty  lifted  his  hand,  and  motioned 
for  him  to  retreat. 

"Haven't  I  told  you  more  tliAn  onco  not  totcinptme?"  he 
paid.  "  I  trouble  no  man  ;  why  can't  the  law  leave  me  to  my- 
self t  Go  back — go  back,  and  tell  your  Judge  that  he  may  keep 
his  bounty ;  but  1  won't  have  his  wasty  ways  brought  into  ray 
hut." 

This  offer,  howev.er,  instead  of  appeasing  the  curiosity  of  Hiram, 
seemed  to  inflame  it  the  more,  while  Kirby  cried, — 

"Well,  that's  fair,  Squire  ;  he  forgives  the  county  his  demand, 
and  the  county  should  forgive  him  the  fine  ;  it's  what  I  call  »n 
even  trade,  and  should  be  concluded  on  the  spot  1  like  quick 
dealings,  and  what's  fair  'twixt  man  and  man." 

"  I  demand  entrance  into  this  houpo,"  eaid  Hiram,  summoning 
all  the  dignity  he  could  muster  to  his  assistance,  "  in  the  name 
of  the  people  ;  and  by  virtue  of  this  warrant,  and  of  my  office, 
and  with  this  peace-officer." 

"  Stand  back,  stand  back,  Squire,  and  don't  tempt  me,"  said 
the  Leather- stocking,  motioning  for  him  to  retire  with  great 
earnestness. 

"  Stop  us  at  your  peril,"  continued  Hiram.  "  Billy  1  Jotham  ! 
close  up — I  want  testimony." 

Hiram  had  mistaken  the  mild  but  determined  air  of  Natty 
for  submission,  and  had  already  put  his  foot  on  the  threshold 
to  enter,  when  he  was  seized  unexpectedly  by  his  shoulders,  and 
hurled  over  the  little  bank  towards  the  lake  to  the  distance  of 
twenty  feet.  The  suddenness  of  the  movement,  and  the  unex- 
pected display  of  strength  on  the  part  of  Natty,  created  a 
momentary  astonishment  in  IMS  invaders  that  silenced  all  noises  ; 
but  at  the  next  instant  Billy  Kirby  gave  vent  to  his  mirth  in 
peals  of  laughter,  that  he  seemed  to  heave  up  from  his  very 
soul. 

"  Well  done,  old  stub  1"  he  shouted  ;  "  the  Squire  know'd  you 
bettor  than  I  did.  Come,  come,  here's  a  green  spot ;  take  it  out 
like  men,  while  Jotham  and  I  see  fair  play." 

"  William  Kirby,  I  order  you  to  do  your  duty,"  cried  Hiram 
from  under  the  bank  ;  "  seize  that  man ;  I  order  you  to  seize 
him  in  the  name  of  the  people." 

But  the  Leather-stocking  now  assumed  a  more  threatening 
attitude  ;  his  rifle  was  in  his  hand,  and  its  muzzle  was  directed 
towards  the  wood-chopper. 

"  Stand  off,  I  bid  ye,"  said  Natty ;  "  you  .know  my  aim,  Billy 
Kirby  ;  I  don't  crave  your  blood,  but  mine  and  yourn  both  shall 
turn  this  green  grass  red  afore  you  put  foot  into  the  hut." 

While  the  affair  appeared  trifling,  the  wood-chopper  seemed 
disposed  to  take  sides  with  the  weaker  party ;  but  when  the 
fire-arms  were  introduced,  his  manner  very  sensibly  c 


262  THE  PIONEERS. 

He  raised  his  large  frame  from  the  log,  awl,  facing  the  hunter 
with  an  open  front,  he  replied, — 

"I  didn't  come  here  as  your  enemy,  Leather-stocking;  but  I 
don't  value  the  hollow  piece  of  iron  in  your  hand  PO  much  as  a 
broken  axe-helve  ;  so,  Squire,  pay  the  word,  and  keep  within  the 
law,  and  we'll  soon  PCC  who's  the  best  man  of  the  two." 

But  no  magistrate  was  to  be  peon  !  The  instant  the  rifle  was 
produced  Hiram  find  Jotham  vanished  ;  and  when  the  wood- 
chopper  bent  his  eyes  about  him  in  surprise  at  receiving  no 
answer,  he  discovered  their  retreating  figures,  moving  towards 
the  village  at  a  rate  that  sufficiently  indicated  that  they  had 
tiot  only  calculated  the  velocity  of  a  rifle  bullet,  but  also  its 
probable  range. 

"You've  scared  the  creaters  off,"  said  Kirby,  with  great  con- 
tempt expressed  on  his  broad  features ;  "but  you  are  not  going 
to  scare  me  ;  so,  Mr.  Bumppo,  down  with  your  gun,  or  there'll 
l^e  trouble  'twixt  us." 

Natty  dropped  his  rifle,  and  replied, — 

"  I  wish  you  no  harm,  Billy  Kirby  ;  but  I  leave  it  to  yourself 
whether  an  old  man's  hut  is  to  be  'run  down  by  such  varmint. 
I  won't  deny  the  buck  to  you,  Billy,  and  you  may  take  the  skin 
in,  if  you  please,  and  show  it  as  testimony.  The  bounty  will 
pay  the  fine,  and  that  ought  to  satisfy  any  man." 

"  Twill,  old  boy,  'twill,"  cried  Kirby,  every  shade  of  displeasure 
vanishing  from  his  open  brow  at  the  peace-offering  ;  "  throw  out 
the  hide,  and  that  shall  satisfy  the  law." 

Natty  entered  his  hut,  and  soon  re-appeared,  bringing  with 
him  the  desired  testimonial;  and  the  wood-chopper  departed,  as 
thoroughly  reconciled  to  the  hunter  as  if  nothing  had  happened. 
As  he  paced  along  the  margin  of  the  lake,  he  would  burst  into 
frequent  fits  of  laughter,  while  he  recollected  the  summerset  of 
Hiram  ;  and,  on  the  whole,  he  thought  the  affair  a  very  capital 
joke. 

Long  before  Billy  reached  the  village,  however,  the  news  of  hi* 
danger,  and  of  Natty's  disrespect  of  the  law,  and  of  Hiram's  dis- 
comfiture, were  in  circulation.  A  godd  deal  was  said  about  send- 
ing for  the  Sheriff  ;  some  hints  were  given  about  calling  out  the 
posse  coraitatus  to  avenge  the  insulted  laws ;  and  many  of  the 
citizens  were  collected,  deliberating  how  to  proceed.  The  arrival 
of  Billy  with  the  skin,  by  removing  all  grounds  for  a  search, 
changed  the  complexion  of  things  materially;  Nothing  now 
remained  but  to  collect  the  fine,  and  assert  the  dignity  of  the 
people  ;  all  of  which,  it  was  unanimously  agreed,  could  be  clone 
as  well  on  the  succeeding  Monday  as  on  a  Saturday  night, — 
a  time  kept  sacred  by  a  large  portion  of  the  settlers.  Accord- 
ingly, all  further  proceedings  were  suspended  for  six-and-thirty 
hours. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

And  dar'st  Uion,  tlien, 
To  beard  the  lion  in  his  den, 
The  Douglas  in  bin  hall  ?  Jfannfon. 

THE  comnution  was  just  suosiding,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the 
village  had  begun  to  disperse  from  the  little  groups  they  had 
formed,  each  retiring  to  his  own  home,  and  closing  his  door  after 
him  with  the  grave  air  of  a  man  who  consulted  public  feeling  in 
his  exterior  deportment,  when  Oliver  Edwards,  on  his  return  from 
the  dwelling  of  Mr.  Grant,  encountered  the  young  lawyer,  who  is 
known  to  the  reader  as  Mr.  Lippet.  There  was  very  little  simi- 
larity in  the  manners  or  opinions  of  the  two  ;  but  as  they  both 
belonged  to  the  more  intelligent  class  of  a  very  small  community, 
they  were,  of  course,  known  to  each  other  ;  and  as  their  meeting 
\vas  at  a  point  where  silence  would  have  been  rudeness,  the  follow- 
ing conversation  was  the  result  of  their  interview  : — 

"A  fine  evening,  Mr.  Edwards,"  commenced  the  lawyer,  whose 
disinclination  to  the  dialogue  was,  to  say  the  least,  very  doubtful ; 
"  we  want  rain  Badly  ; — that's  the  worst  of  this  climate  of  ours, 
it's  either  a  drought  or  a  deluge.  It's  likely  you've  been  used  to 
a  more  equal  temperature  ?" 

"  I  am  a  native  of  this  state,"  returned  Edwards  coldly. 

"  Well,  I've  often  heard  that  point  disputed  ;  but  it's  so  easy  to 
gat  a  man  naturalized,  that  it's  of  little  consequence  where  he  was 
l?orn.  I  wonder  what  course  the  Judge  means  to  take  in  this 
business  of  Nalty  Bumppo  ! " 

"  Of  Natty  Bumppo  1 "  echoed  Edwards  ,  n  to  what  do  you 
allude,  sir  ? " 

"  Haven't  yon  heard  ? "  exclaimed  the  other,  with  a  look  of 
.surprise,  so  naturally  assumed  as  completely  to  deceive  his  audi- 
tor ;  "  it  may  turn  out  an  ugly  business.  It  seems  that  the  old 
man  has  been  out  in  the  hills,  and  has  shot  a  burk  this  morning, 
and  that,  you  know,  is  a  criminal  matter  in  the  eyes  of  Judge 
Temple." 

"  Oh  1  he  has,  has  he  ?"  said  Edwards,  averting  his  face  to  con- 
ceal the  colour  that  collected  in  his  sunburnt  cheek.  "  Well,  if 
that  lie  all,  he  must  «v«n  pay  the  fine." 

SM 


284  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  It's  five  pounds  currency,"  paid  the  lawyer  j  "  could  Natty 
muster  so  much  money  at  once?" 

"  Could  ho  1 "  cried  the  youth.  "  I  am  not  rich,  Mr.  Lippet ; 
far  from  it — I  am  pdor,  and  I  have  been  hoarding  my  salary  fov 
a  purpose  that  lie*  near  my  heart ;  but  before  that  old  man  should 
lie  one  hour  in  a  gaol,  I  would  spend  the  last  cent  to  prevent  it 
Besides,  he  has  killed  two  panther*,  and  the  bounty  \^11  discharge 
the  fine  many  times  over." 

"  Ye*,  yes,"  said  the  lawyer,  rubbing  his  hands  together  with 
an  expression  of  pleasure  that  had  no  artifice  about  it ;  "we  shall 
make  it  out ;  I  see  plainly  we  shall  make  it  out." 

"  Make  what  out,  sir  ?  I  must  bog  an  explanation." 

"  Why,  killing  the  buck  is  but  a  small  matter  compared  to  what 
took  pla<-e  this  afternoon,"  continued  Mr.  Lippet,  with  a  confiden- 
tial and  friendly  air,  that  insensibly  won  upon  the  youth,  little 
as  he  liked  the  man.  "  It  seems  that  a  complaint  was  made  of  the 
fact,  and  a  suspicion  that  there  was  vcnis'on  in  the  hut  was  sworn 
to,  all  which  is  provided  for  in  the  statute,  when  Judge  Temple 
granted  a  search-warrant " — 

"  A  search -warrant  1 "  echoed  Edwards  in  a  voice  of  horror, 
and  with  a  face  that  should  have  been  again  averted  to  conceal 
its  paleness  ;  "and  how  much  did  they  discover?  What  did  they 
seel" 

"  They  saw  old  Bumppo's  rifle  ;  and  that  is  a-  sight  which  will 
quiet  most  men's  curiosity  in  the  woods." 

"Did  they!  did  they!"  shouted  Edwards,  bursting  into  a 
convulsive  laugh;  "so  the  old  hero  beat  them  back  1 — he  beat 
them  back,  did  he?" 

The  lawyer  fastened  his  eyes  in  astonishment  on  the  youth  ; 
but  ds  his  wonder  gave  way  to  the  thoughts  that  were  commonly 
uppermost  in  his  mind,  he  replied, — 

"  It's  no  laughing  matter,  let  me  tell  you,  sir ;  the  forty  dollars 
of  bounty  and  your  fix  months  of  salary  will  be  much  reduced 
before  you  can  get  the  matter  fairly  settled.  Assaulting  a  magis- 
trate in  the  execution  of  his  duty,  and  menacing  a  constable 
with  fire-arms  at  the  same  time,  is  a  pretty  serious  affair,  and  is 
punishable  with  both  fine  and  imprisonment." 

"Imprisonment!"  repeated  Oliver;  "imprison  the  Leather- 
stocking  !  No,  no,  sir  ;  it  would  bring  the  old  man  to  his  grave. 
They  shall  never  imprison  the  Leather-stocking." 

"  Well,  Mr.  Edwards,"  said  Lippet,  dropping  all  reserve  from 
his  manner,  "you  are  called  a  curious  man  ;  but  if  you  can  tell 
me  how  a  jury  is  to  be  prevented  from  finding  a  verdict  ofgiiilty. 
if  this  case  comes  fairly  before  them,  and  the  proof  is  clear,  I  shall 
acknowledge  that  you  know  more  law  than  I  do,  who  have  had  a' 
licence  in  my  packet  for,  three  years." 

By  this  time  the  reason  of  Edwards  was  getting  the  ascendancy 


THE  PIONEERS.  £W 

of  bis  feelings ;  and  as  he  began  to  see  the  real  difficnltic*  of  the 
ca.«c,  he  listened  more  readily  to  the  conversation  of  the  lawyer. 
The  ungovernable  emotion  that  escaped  the  youth  in  the  first 
moment  of  his  surprise  entirely  passed  away;  and  although  it 
was  still  evident  that  he  continued  to  be  much  agitated  ty  what 
he  had  heard,  he«succeeded  in  yielding  a  forced  attention,  to  the 
advice  which  the  other  uttered. 

Notwithstanding  the  confused  state  of  his  mind,  Oliver  BOOH 
discovered  that  most  of  the  expedients  of  the  lawyer  were  grounded 
in  cunning  and  plans  that  required  a  time  to  execute  them,  that 
neither  suited  his  disposition  nor- his  necessities.  After,  however, 
giving  Mr.  Lippet  to  understand  that  he  retained  him  in  the 
event  of  a  trial,  an  assurance  that  at  once  satisfied  the  lawyer, 
they  parted,  one  taking  his  course,  with  a  deliberate  tread,  in  the 
direction  of  the  little  building  that  had  a  wooden  sign  over  its 
door,  with  "Chester  Lippet,  Attorney  at  Law,"  painted  on  it; 
and  the  other' pacing  over  the  ground  with  enormous  strides 
towards  the  Mansion-house.  We  shall  take  leave  of  the  attorney 
for  the  present,  and  direct  the  attention  of  the  reader  to  his 
client 

When  Edwards  entered  the  hall,  whose  enormous  doors  were 
opened  to  the  passage  of  the  air  of  a  mild  evening,  he  found 
Benjamin  engaged  in  some  of  his  domestic  avocations,  and 
in  a  hurried  voice  inquired  where  Judge  Temple  was  to  be 
found. 

"Why,  the  Judge  has  just  stepped  into  his  office,  with  that 
master  carpenter,  Mister  Dpolittle,  but  Miss  Lizzy  is  in  that  there 
parlour.  I  say,  Master  Oliver,  we'd  like  to  have  had  a  bad  job 
of  that  panther,  or  painter's  work — some  calls  it  one,  and  some 
calls  it  t  other — but  I  know  little  of  the  beast,  seeing  that  it  is  not 
of  British  growth.  I  said  as  much  as  tltat  it  was  in  the  hills  the 
last  winter,  for  I  heard  it  moaning  on  the  lake  shore  one  evening 
in  the  fall,  when  I  was  pulling  down  from  the  fishing  point  in 
the  skiff.'  Had  the  animal  come  into  open  water,  where  a  man 
could  see  where  and  how  to  work  his  vessel,  I  would  have 
engaged  the  thing  myself;  but  looking  aloft  among  the  trees 
is  all  the  same  to  me  as  standing  on  the  deck  of  one  ship,  and 
looking  at  another  vessel's  tops.  I  never  can  tell  one  rope  from 
another  " — 

"Well,  well,"  interrupted  Edwards,  "I  must  see  Miss 
Temple." 

"  And  you  shall  see  her,  sir,"  said  the  steward  ;  "  she's  in  this 
here  room.  Lord,  Master  Edwards,  what  a  loss  she'd  have  been 
to  the  Judge  1  Dam'me  if  I  know  where  he  would  have  gotten 
such  .another  daughter  ;  that  is,  full  grown,  d'ye  see.  I  say,  sir, 
this  Master  Burnppo  is  a  worthy  man,  and  seems  to  have  a 
handy  way  with  him  with  fire-arms  and  boat-hooks.  I'm  his 


28<3  THE  PIONEERS. 

friend,  Master  Oliver,  «,nd  he  and  you  may  both  set  me  down  as 
the  same." 

"We  may  want  your  friendship,  my  worthy  fellow,"  cried 
Edwards,  squeezing  his  hand  convulsively  ; — "we  may  want  your 
friendship,  in  which  case  you  shall  know  it." 

Without  waiting  to  hear  the  earnest  reply  that  Benjamin  medi- 
tated, the  youth  extricated  himself  from  the  vigorous  grasp  of  the 
steward,  and  entered  the  parlour. 

Elizabeth  was  alone,  and  still  reclining  on  the  sofa,  where  we 
last  left  her.  A  hand,  which  exceeded  all  that  the  ingenuity  of 
art  could  model,  in  shape  and  colour,  veiled  her  eyes,  and  the 
maiden  was  sitting  as  if  in  deep  communion  with  herself.  Struck 
by  the  attitude  and  loveliness  of  the  form  that  met  his  eye,  the 
young  man  checked  his  impatience,  and  approached  her  with 
respect  and.caution. 

"Miss  Temple  —  Miss  Temple,"  he  said,  "I  hope  I  do  not 
intrude  ;  but  I  am  anxious  for  an  interview,  if  it  be  only  for  a 
moment." 

Elizabeth  raised  her  face,  and  exhibited  her  dark  eyes  swimming 
in  moisture. 

"Is  it  you,  Edwards,"  she  said,  with  a  sweetness  in  her  voice 
and  a  softness  in  her  air  that  she  often  used  to  her  father,  but 
which,  from  its  novelty  to  himself,  thrilled  on  every  nerve  of  the 
youth  ;  "how  left  you  our  poor  Louisa  ?" 

"She  is  with  her  father,  happy  and  grateful,"  said  Oliver. 
"I  never  witnessed  more  feeling  than  she  manifested  when  I 
ventured  to  express  my  pleasure  at  her  escape.  Miss  Temple, 
when  I  first  heaixl  of  your  horrid  situation,  my  feelings  were  too 
powerful  for  utterance  ;  and  I  did  not  properly  find  my  tongue 
until  the  walk  to  Mr.  Grant's  had  given  me  time  to  collect  myself. 
I  believe — I  do  believe,  I  acquitted  myself  better  there,  for  Miss 
Grant  even  wept  at  my  silly  speeches." 

For  a  moment  Elizabeth  did  not  reply,  but  again  veiled  her 
eyes  with  her  hand.  The  feeling  that  caused  the  action,  how- 
ever, soon  passed  away,  and,  raising  her  face  again  to  his  gaze, 
she  continued  with  a  smile, — 

"Your  friend  the  Leather-stocking  has  now  become  my  friend, 
Edwards;  I  have  been  thinking  how  I  can  best  serve  him; 
perhaps  you,  who  know  his  habits  and  his  wants  so  well,  can  tell 
me  " — 

"I  can,"  cried  tue  youth-,  with  an  impetuosity  that  startled  his 
companion — "  I  can,  and  may  heaven  reward  you  for  tlie  wish. 
Natty  has  been  so  imprudent  as  to  forget  the  law,  and  has  this 
day  killed  a  deer.  Nay,  I  believe  I  must  share  in  the  crime  and 
the  penalty,  for  I  was  an  accomplice  throughout.  A  complaint 
ban  been  made  to  vonr  father,  and  he  has  granted  a  search  " — 

"IJuiow  itall,1'  interrupted  Elizabeth;  "I  know  it  all.     The 


THE  PIONEERS.  287 

forms  of  the  law  must  be  complied  with,  however ;  the  search 
must  be  made,  the  deer  found,  and  the  penalty  paid.  But  I 
must  retort  your  own  qtfestion.  Have  you  lived  so  long  in  oui 
family  not  to  know  us?  Look  at  me,  Oliver  Edwards.  Do  I 
appear  like  one  who  would  permit  the  man  that  has  just  saved 
her  life  to  linger  in  a  gaol  for  BO  small  a  sum  as  this  fine  1  No, 
no,  sir ;  my  father  is  a  Judge,  but  he  is  a  man  and  a  Christian. 
It  is  all  understood,  and  no  harm  shall  follow." 

"What  a  load  of  apprehension  do  your  declarations  remove  !" 
exclaimed  Edwards.  "He  shall  not  be  disturbed  again  1  your 
father  will  protect  him  !  I  have  your  assurance,  Miss  Temple, 
that  he  will,  and  I  must  believe  it. 

"  You  may.  have  his  own,  Mr.  Edwards,"  returned  Elizabeth, 
"  for  here  he  comes  to  make  it." 

But  the  appearance  of  Marmaduke,  who  entered  the  apartment, 
contradicted  the  flattering  anticipations  of  his  daughter.  His 
brow  was  contracted,  and  his  manner  disturbed.  Neither  Eliza* 
beth  nor  the  youth  spoke  ;  but  the  Judge  was  allowed  to  pace 
once  or  twice  across  the  room  without  interruption,  when  he 
cried,.— 

"Our  plans  are  defeated,  girl;  the  obstinacy  of  the  Leather- 
stocking  nas  brought  down  the  indignation  of  the  law  on  hia 
head,  and  it  is  now  out  of  my  power  to  avert  it." 

"  How  ?  in  what  manner  I"  cried  Elizabeth  ;  "  the  fine  is 
nothing ;  surely  "— 

"I  did  not — I  could  not  anticipate  that  an  old,  a  friend- 
less man  like  him,  would  dare  to  oppose  the  officers  of  justice," 
interrupted  the  Judge  ;  "  I  supposed  that  he  would  submit  to 
the  search,  when  the  fine  coula  have  been  paid,  and  the  law 
would  have  been  appeased ;  but  now  he  will  have  to  meet  its 
rigour." 

"And  what  must  the  punishment  be,  sir?"  asked  Edwards, 
struggling  to  speak  with  firmness. 

Marmaduke  turned  quickly  to  the  spot  where  the  youth  had 
withdrawn,  and  exclaimed, —  ^ 

"You  here  1  I  did  not  observe  you.  I  know  not  what  it  will 
be,  sir  ;  it  is  not  usual  for  a  Judge  to  decide,  until  he  has  heard 
the  testimony,  and  the-jury  have  convicted.  Of  one  thing,  how- 
ever, you  may  be  assured,  Mr.  Edwards ;  it  shall  be  whatever  the 
law  demands,  notwithstanding  any  momentary  weakness  I  may 
have  exhibited,  because  the  luckless  man  has  "been  of  such  eminent 
service  to  my  daughter." 

"  No  one,  I  believe,  doubts  the  sense  of  justice  which  Judge 
Temple  entertains  I "  returned  Edwards  bitterly.  "J  But  let 
us  converse;  calmly,  sir.  Will  not  the  years,  the  habits,  nay, 
the  ignoranae  of  my  old  friend  avail  him  anything  against  this 
charge?" 


28b  TEE  PIONEERS. 

"Ought  they?  They  may  extenuate,  but  can" they "acquifl 
"Would  any  society  be  tolerable,  young  man,  where  the  ministers 
of  justice  are  to  be  opposed  by  men  armed  with  rifles?  Is  it  for- 
tins  that  I  have  tamed  the  wilderness?" 

"Had  you  tamed  the  beasts  that  so  lately  threatened  the 
life  of  Miss  Temple,  sir,  your  arguments  would  apply  better." 

"  Edwards  ! "  exclaimed  Elizabeth — 

"  Peace,  my  child,"  interrupted  her  father  ; — "  the  youth  is 
unjust;  but  I  have  not  given  him  cause.  I  overlook  thy  remark, 
Oliver,  for  I  know  thee  to  be  tlie  friend  of  Natty,  and  zeal  in  his 
behalf  has  overcome  thy  discretion." 

"  Yes,  he  is  my  friend,"  cried  Edward?,  "  and  I  glory  in  tho 
title.  He  is  simple,  unlettered,  even  ignorant;  prejudiced, 
perhaps,  thouji  I  feel  that  his  opinion  of  the  world  is  too  true; 
but  he  has  a  heart,  Judge  Temple,  that  would  atone  for  a 
thousand  faults  ;  he  knows  his  friends,  and  never  deserts  them, 
even  if  it  be  his  dog." 

"  This  is  a  good  character,  Mr.  Edwards,"  returned  Marmaduke 
mildly;  "but  I  have  never  been  so  fortunate  as  to  secure  his 
esteem,  for  to  me  he  has  been  uniformly  repulsive ;  yet  I  have 
endured  it,  as  an  old  man's  whim.  However,  when  he  appears 
before  me,  as  his  judge,  he  shall  find  that  his  former  conduct  shall 
not  aggravate,  any  more  than  his  recent  services  shall  extenuate, 
his  crime." 

"Crime!"  echoed  Edwards;  "is  it  a  crime  to  drive  a  prying 
miscreant  from  his  door  ?  Crime !  Oh,  no,  sir ;  if  there  be  a 
criminal  involved  in  this  affair,  it  is  not  he." 

"And  who  may  it  bo,  sir? "asked  Judge  Temple,  facing  the 
agitated  youth,  his  feature?  settled  to  their  usual  composure. 

This  appeal  was  more  than  the  young  man  could  bear.  Hitherto 
he  had  been  deeply  agitated  by  his  emotions;  but  now  the  volcano 
burst  its  boundaries. 

"  Who !  and  this  to  me  1 "  he  cried ;  " ask  your  own  conscience, 
Judge  Tomple.  Walk  to  that  door,  sir,  and  look  out  upon  tho 
valley,  that  placid  lake,  and  those  dnsky  mountains,  and  say  to 
your  own  heart,  if  heart  you  have,  Whence  came  these  riches,  this 
vale,  thosp"hills,  and  why  am  I  their  owner?  I  should  think,  sir, 
that  the  appearance  of  Mohegau  and  the  Leather-stocking,  stalking 
through  the  country,  impoverished  and  forlorn,  would  wither 
your  sig'it." 

Marmaduke  heard  this  bur=t  of  passion,  at  first,  with  deep 
amazement ;  but  when  the  youth  had  ended,  he  beckoned  to  his 
impatient  daughter  for  silence,  and  replied, — 

"Oliver  Edwards,  thou  forgettest  in  whose  presence  thou 
Ptnndest.  I  have  heard,  young  man,  that  thou  claimcst  descent 
from  the  native  owners  of  the  soil ;  but  surely  thy  education  has 
b«*ix  given  thee  to  no  effect,  if  it  has  not  taught  thee  the 


rw#isjsjas,  sso 

of  the  claims  tliat  have  transferred  the  title  to  tne  whites.  These 
lands  are  mine  by  the  very  grants  of  thy  ancestry,  if  thou  art  so 
descended  ;  and  I  appeal  to  Heaven  for  a  testimony  of  the  uses 
I  have  put  them  to.  After  this  language,  \ve  must  separate. 
I  have  too  long  sheltered  thee  in  my  dwelling ;  but  the  time 
has  arrived  when  thou  must  quit  it.  Come  to  my  office,  and 
I  will  discharge  the  debt  I  owe  thee.  Neither  shall  thy 
present  intemperate  language  mar  thy  future  fortunes,  if  thou 
wilt  hearken  to  the  advice  of  one  who  is  by  many  years  thj 
senior." 

The  ungovernable  feeling  that  caused  the  violence  of  thfe 
youth  had  passed  away,  and  he  stood  gazing  after  the  retiring 
figure  of  Hariuaduke  with  a  vacancy  in  his  eye  that  denoted 
the  absence  of  his  mind.  At  length  he  recollected  himself, 
and,  turning  hia  head  blowly  around  the  apartment,  he  beheld 
Elizabeth,  still  seated  on  the  sofa,  but  with  her  head  dropped  on 
her  bosom,  and  her  face  again  concealed  by  her  hands.  . 

"Miw;  Temple,"  he  said— all  violence  had  left  his  manner— ' 
"Miss  Temple — I  have  forgotten  myself — forgotten  you.  You 
have  heard  what  your  father  has  decreed,  and  this  night  I 
leave  here.  With  you,  at  least,  I  would  part  in  amity." 

Elizabeth  slowly  raised  her  face,  across  which  a  momentary 
expression  of  sadness  stole  ;  but  ?.s  she  left  her  seat,  her  dark 
eyes  lighted  with  their  usual  fire,  her  cheek  flubhed  to  burning, 
and  her  whole  air  seemed  to  belong  to  another  nature. 

"  I  forgive  yon,  Edward*,  and-  my  father  will  forgive  you," 
she  said,  when  she -reached  the  door,  "You  do  not  know  UP, 
but  the  time  may  come  when  your  opinions  shall  change  " — 

"  Of  you !  never  ! "  interrupt  j<l  the  youth  :  "  I " — 

"I  would  speak,  sir,  and  not  listen.  There  is  something 
in  this  affair  thai  I  do  not  comprehend  ;  but  tell  the  Leather- 
stocking  he  has  friends  as  well  as  judges  in  us.  Do  not  let 
the  old  man  experience  unnecessary  uneasiness  at  this  inpturc. 
It  is  impossible  that  you  could  increase  his  claims  here;  neithel 
shall  they  be  diminished  by  anything  you  have  said  Mi- 
Edwards,  I  wish  you  happiness,  and  warmer  friends." 

The  youth  would  have  spoken,  but  she  vanished  from  th<. 
door  so  rapidly,  that  when  he  reached  the  hall  her  form  was 
nowhere  to  be  seen.  He  paused  a  moment,  in  stupor,  and 
then,  rushing  from  the  hotise,  instead  of  following  Marmaduke 
to  his  "office,"  he  took  his  way  directly  for  the  cabiu  of  the 
hunters. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

Wha  measured  eartb,  described  the  starry  spheres, 

And  traced  the  long  records  of  lunar  years.  TOPE. 

RICHARD  did  not  return  from  the  exercise  of  his  official  duties, 
until  late  in  the  evening  of  the  following  day.  It  had  been 
one  portion  of  his  business  to  superintend  the  arrest  of  part 
of  a  gang  of  counterfeiters,  that  had,  even  at  that  early 
period,  buried  themselves  in  the  woods,  to  manufacture  their 
base  coin,  which  they  afterwards  circulated,  from  one  end  of 
the  Union  to  the  other.  The  expedition  had  been  completely 
successful,  and  about  midnight  the  Sheriff  entered  the  village, 
at  the  head  of  a  posse  of  deputies  and  constables,  in  the 
centre  of  whom  rode,  pinioned,  four  of  the  malefactors.  At 
the  gate  of  the  mansion-house  they  separated,  Mr.  Jones 
directing  his  assistants  to  proceed  with  their  charge  to  the 
county  gaol,  while  he  pursued  his  own  way  up  the  gravelled 
walk  with  the  kind  of  self-satisfaction  that  a  man  of  his 
organization  would  feel  who  had  really,  for  once,  done  a  very 
clever  thing. 

"  Holla !  Aggy ! "  shouted  the  Sheriff,  when  he  reached  the 
door ;  "  where  are  you,  you  black  dog  ?  wilt  you  keep  me 
here  in  the  dark  all  night  ?  Holla  !  Aggy  !  Brave  !  Brave  ! 
hoy,  hoy — where  have  you  got  to,  Brave  ?  Off  his  watch  ! 
Everybody  is  asleep  but  myself!  poor  I  must  keep  my  eyes 
open,  that  others  may  sleep  in  safety.  Brave !  Brave !  Well, 
I  Vill  say  this  for  the  dog,  lazy  as  he's  grown,  that  it  is 
the  first  time  I  ever  knew  him  let  any  one  come  to  the 
door  after  dark,  without  having  a  smell  to  know  whether  it 
was  an  honest  man  or  not.  He  could  tell  by  his  nose, 
almost  as  well  as,  I  could  myself  by  looking  at  them.  Holla ! 
you  Agamemnon  I  where  are  you  ?  Oh !  here  comes  the  dog  at 
last."  • 

By  this  time  the  Sheriff  had  dismounted,  and  observed  a  form, 
which  he  supposed  to  be  that  of  Brave,  slowly  creeping  out 
of  the  kennel;  when,  to  his  astonishment,  it  reared  itself 
on  two  legs  instead  of  four,  and  he  was  able  to  distinguish, 
by  the  star -light,  the  curly  head  and  dark  visage  of  the 
negro. 

soo 


TEE  P ION  BURS.  29  < 

"Ha  !  what  the  devil  are  you  doing  there,  you  black  rascal  ? "" 
1m  cried ;  "is  it  not  hot  enough  for  your  Guinea  blood  in  the 
house,  this-  warm  night,  but  you  must  drive  out  the  poor  dog  and 
sleep  in  his  straw  ? " 

By  this  time  the  boy  was  wide  awake,  and,  with  a  blubbering 
whine,  he  attempted  to  reply  to  his  master. 

"  Oh !  masser  Richard  1  masser  Richard  !  such  a  ting  1  such  a 
(ing !  I  neber  tink  a  could  'appen  I  neber  tink  he  die !  Oh, 
Lor-a-gor !  an't  bury— keep  'uu  till  masser  Richard  get  back— 
got  a  grabe  dug  " — 

Here  the  feelings  of  the  negro  completely  got  the  mastery,  and 
instead  of  making  any  intelligible  explanation  of  the  causes  of 
his  grief,  he  blubbered  aloud. 

"Eh  !  what  1  buried  I  grave !  dead  1 "  exclaimed  Richard,  with 
a. tremor  in  his  voice ;  "nothing  serioud?  Nothing  has  happened 
to  Benjamin,  I  hope  ?  I  know  he  has  been  bilious  ;  but  I  gave 
him  " — 

"  Oh  I  worser  'an  dat  1  worser  'an  dat  I "  sobbed  the  negro. 
"  Oh  !  de  Lor  1  Miss  'Lizzy  and  Miss  Grant — walk—  mountain — 
poor  Bravyl  — kill  a  lady— painter — Oh  I  Lor,  Lori — Natty 
Bumppo — tear  he  troat  open — com*1  a  see,  masser  Richard — here 
he  be— here  he  be." 

As  all  this  was  perfectly  inexplicable  x>  the  Sheriff,  he  was 
very  glad  to  wait  patiently  untu  the  black  brought  a  lantern 
from  the  kitchen,  when  he  followed  Aggy  to  the  Kennel,  where 
he  beheld  poor  Brave,  indeed,  lying  in  nis  blood,  stiff  and  cold, 
but  decently  covered  with  the  greatcoat  of  the  negro.  He  was 
on  the  point  of  demanding  an  explanation  ;  but  the  grief  of  the 
black,  who  had  fallen  asleep  on  his  voluntary  watch,  having  burst 
out  afresh  on  his  waking,  utterly  disqualified  the  lad  from  giving 
one.  Luckily,  at  this  moment  the  principal  door  of  the  nouse 
opened,  and  the  coarse  features  of  Benjamin  were  thrust  over 
the  threshold,  with  a  candle  elevated  above  them,  shedding  ita 
dim  rays  around  in  such  a  manner  as  to  exhibit  the  lights 
and  shadows  of  his  countenance.  Richard  threw  his  bridle  to 
the  black,  and  bidding  him  look  to  the  horse,  he  entered  the 
hall 

"What  is  the  meaning  of  the  dead  dog?"  he  cried.  "Where 
is  Miss  Temple?" 

Benjamin  made  one  of  his  square  gestures,  with  the  thumb 
of  his  left  hand  pointing  over  his  right  shoulder,  as  he 
answered, — 

"Turned  in." 

"  Judge  Temple — where  is  he  ?  " 

"  In  his  berth." 

"But  explain ;  why  is  Brave  dead?  and  what  is  the  causa  of 
Agg/a  grief?'' 


THE  PIONEERS. 

"Why.  it's  all  down,  Squire,''  said  Benjamin,  pointing  to 
ft  slate  that  lay  on  tho  table,  by  tlio  side  of  u  uvug  of  today,  a 
short  pipe,  in  which  the  tobacco  was  yet  burning,  and  a  Prayer- 
book. 

Among  the  other  pursuits  of  Richard,  ho  had  a  passion  to 
keep  a  register  of  all  passing  events  ;  and  bis  diary,  which  was 
written  in  the  manner  of  a  journal,  or  log-book,  embraced  not 
only  such  -circumstances  as  aflectcd  himself,  but  observations  ou 
the  weather,  and  all  the  occurrences  of  the  family,  and  frequently 
of  the  village.  Since  his  appointment  to  the  olSce  of  SlierilF,  and 
his  consequent  absences  from  home,  he  had  employed  Benjamin 
to  make  memoranda,  on  a  slate,  of  whatcve  might  be  thought 
worth  remembering,  which,  on  his  return,  were  regularly  trans- 
ferred to  the  journal,  with  proper  notations  of  tho  time,  manner, 
and  other  little  particulars.  There  -was,  to  be  sure,  one  material 
objection  to  the  clerkship  of  Benjamin,  which  the  ingenuity  of  no 
one  but  Richard  could  have  overcome.  The  eteward  read  nothing 
but  his  Prayer-book,  and  that  only  in  particular  part.-?,  and  by 
the  aid  of  a  good  deal  of  spelling,  and  some  misnomers  ;  but  ho 
c*ould  not  form  a  single  letter  with  a  pen.  This  would  have  been 
an  insuperable  bar  to  journalising,  with  most  nu-n  ;  but  Richard 
invented  a  kind  of  hieroglyphical  character,  which  was  intended 
to  note  all  the  ordinary  occurrences  of  a  day,  such  as  how  the 
wind  blew,  whether  the  sun  shone,  or  whether  it  rained,  the 
hours,  etc. ;  and  for  tho  extraordinary,  after  gh  ing  certain 
elementary  lectures  on  the  subject,  tho  Sherilf  was  obliged  to 
trust  to  the  ingenuity  of  the  major -donio.  The  reader  will 
at  once  perceive  that  it  was  to  this  chronicle  that  Benjamin 
pointed,  instead  of  directly  answering  tho  Sheriff's  inter- 
rogatory. 

When  Mr.  Jones  had  drunk  a  glass  of  toddy  he  brought  forth 
from  its  secret  place  his  proper  journal,  and,  seating  himself  by 
the  table,  he  prepared  to  transfer  the  contents  of  the  blate  to  the 
paper  at  the  same  time  that  he  appeased  his  curiosity.  Benjamin 
laid  one  hand  on  the  back  of  the  Sheriffs  chair  in  a  familiar 
manner,  while  he  kept  the  other  at  liberty  to  make  use  of  a  fore- 
finger, that  was  bent  like  some  of  his  own  characters,  as  an  index 
to  point  out  his  meaning. 

The  first  thing  referred  to  by  the  Sheriff  was  the  diagram  of  a 
compass  cut  in  one  corner  of  the  slate  for  permanent  use.  Tho 
cardinal  points  were  plainly  marked  on  it,  and  all  the  usual 
divisions  were  indicated  in  such  a  .manner  that  no  man  who  had 
ever  steered  a  ship  could  mistake  them. 

"  Oh  ! "  said  the  Sheriff,  settling  himsrlf  down  comfortably  in 
his  chair,  "you'd  tho  wind  south-east,  I  see,  all  hist  night;  I 
thought  it  would  have  blown  up  rain." 

"Devil  the  drop,  sir,"  said  Benjamin ;  "I  believe  that  tho 


TffE  PIONEERS.  ^93 

Fcwtle-bntt  tip  aloft  is  emptied,  for  there  hasn't  eo  much  water 
foil  in  the  country  for  the  last  three  weeks  as  would  float  Indian 
John's  canoe,  and  that  draws  lust  one  inch  nothing,  light" 

"  Well,  but  didn't  the  wind  change  here  this  morning  ?  there 
was  ft  change  where  I  was." 

"  To  be  euro  it  did.  Squire ;  and  haven't  I  logged  it  as  a  shift 
of  \rind." 

"  I  don't  see  where,  Benjamin  "— 

"Don't  seel"  interrupted  the  steward,. a  little  crnstfly;  "an't 
there  a  mark  ag'in  east-and-by-nothe-half-nothe,  with  sum'mat 
like  a  rising  sun  at  the  end  of  it  to  show  'twas  in  the  morning 
watch?" 

"  Yes,  yes,  that  is  very  legible ;  but  where  is  the  change  noted  ? " 

"Where  1  why,  doesn't  it  see  .this  here  tea-kettle,  with  a  mark 
run  from  the  spout  straight,  or  mayhap  a  little  crooked  or  so, 
into  west-and-by-southe-half-southe  ?  Now  I  call  this  a  shift  of 
wind,  Squire,  Well,  -o  you  see  this  here  boar's  head  that  yon 
made  for  me,  alongside  of  the  compass  " — 

"Ay,  ay— Boreas — I  see.  Why,  you've  drawn  lines  from  itd 
raouth,  extending  from  one  of  your  marks  to  the  other." 

"  It's  no  fault  of  mine,  Squire  Dickens ;  'tis  your  d — d  climate. 
The  wind  has  been  at  all  them  there  marks  this  very  day  :  and 
that's  all  round  the  compass,  except  a  little  matter  of  an  Irish- 
man's hurricane  at  meridium,  which  you'll  find  marked  right  np 
and  down.  Now,  I've  known  a  sow-wester  blow  for  three  weeks 
in  the  Channel,  with  a  clean  drizzle,  in  which  you  might  wash 
your  face  and  hands  without  the  trouble  of  hauling-  in  water 
from  alongside." 

"  Very  well,  Benjamin,"  said  the  Sheriff,  writing  in  his  journal  5 
"I  believe  I  have  caught  the  idea.  Oh !  here's  a  cloud  over  the 
rising  sun  ;  so  you  had  it  hazy  in  the  morning  ?" 

"Ay,  ay,  sir,   said  Benjamin. 

"  Ah  I  it's  Sunday,  and  here  are  the  marks  for  the  length  of 
'  Jie  sermon — one,  two,  three,  four : — what  1  did  Mr.  Grant  preach 
forty  minutes?" 

"Ay,  sum'mat  like  it;  it  was  a  good  half-hour  by  my  own 
glass,  and  then  there  was  the  time  lost  in  turning  it,  and  some 
little  allowance  for  leeway  in  not  being  over  smart  about  it" 

"  Benjamin,  this  is  as  long  _ ,  a  Presbyterian  j  you  never  could 
have  been  ten  minutes  in  turning  the  glass ! " 

"  Why,  do  you  see,  Squire,  the  parson  was  very  solemn,  and  I 
just  closed  my  eyes  in  order  to  think  the  better  with  myself,  just 
the  same  as  you  d  put  in  the  dead-lights  to  make  all  snug,  and 
when  I  opened  them  ag'in  I  found  the  congregation  were  getting 
under  weigh  for  home,  so  I  calculated  the  ten  minutes  would 
cover  the  lee- way  after  the  glass  was  out  It  was  only  some  such 
matter  as*  a  cafe  nap." 


194  TH-E  PIONEERS. 

"  Oh,  ho !  master  Benjamin,  you  were  asleep,  were  you  1  Imt 
I'll  Bet  down  no  such  slander  against  an  orthodox  divine." 
Richard  wrote  twenty-nine  minutes  in  his  journal,  and  con- 
tinued,— "  Why,  whatrs  this  you've  got  opposite  ten  o'clock  A.M.  ? 
A  full  moon  !  had  you  a  moon  visible  by  day  !  I  have  heard  of 
Btich  portents  before  now,  but — eh  I  what's  this  alongside  of  it  ? 
an  hour-glass  ? " 

"  That  1  "  paid  Benjamin,  looking  coolly  over  the  Sheriff's 
phonMcr,'  and  rolling  the  tobacco  about  in  his  'mouth  with  a 
jocular  air  ;  "  why,  that's  a  small  matter  of  my  own.  It's  no 
moon,  Squire,  but  only  Betty  Hollister's  face  ;  lor,  d'ye  see,  sir, 
hearing  all  the  same  as  if  she  had  got  up  a  new  cargo  of  Jamaiky 
from  the  river,-  I  called  in  as  I  was  going  to  the  church  this 
morning — ten  A.M.  was  it? — just  the  time — and  tried  a  glass; 
and  so  I  logged  it  to  put  me  in  mind  of  calling  to  pay  her  like  an 
honest  manY^ 

"  That  was  it,  was  it  ? "  said  the  Sheriff,  with  some  displeasure 
at  this  innovation  on  his  memoranda  ;  "and  could  you  not  make 
a  better  glass  than  this  !  it  looks  like  a  death's  head  and  an  hour- 
glass." 

"Why,  as  I  liked  the  stuff,  Squire,"  returned  the  steward,  "I 
turned  in,  homeward  bound,  and  took  t'other  glass,  which  I  set 
down  at  the  bottom  of  the  first,  and  that  gives  the  thing  the 
fihape  it  has.  But  as  I  was  there  ag'in  to-night,  and  paid  for  tlie 
three  at  once,  your  honour  may  as  well  run  the  hpongc  over  the ' 
whole  business." 

"I  will  buy  you  ablate  for  your  own  affairs,  Benjamin,"  said 
the  Sheriff ;  "  I  don't  like  to  have  the  journal  marked  over  in 
this  manner." 

"You  needn't — you  needn't,  Squire;  for,  seeing  that  I  was 
likely  to  trade  often  with  the  woman  while  this  barrel  lasted, 
I've  opened  a  fair  account  with  Betty,  and  she  keeps  her  marks 
on  the  back  of  her  bar  door,  and  I  keeps  the  tally  on  this  here 
bit  of  a  stick." 

As  Benjamin  concluded  he  produced  a  piece  of  wood,  on  which 
five  very  large  honest  notches  were  apparent  The  Sheriff  cast 
his  eyes  on  this  new  ledger  for  a  moment,  and  continued, — 

"  What  have  we  here  1  Saturday,  two  P.M., — why,  here's  a 
whole  family  piece  !  two  wine  glasses  upside-down  1 " 

"  That's  two  women  ;  the  one  this  a- way  is  Miss  'Lizzy,  and 
t'other  is  the  parson's  young  'un." 

"Cousin  Bess  anr1  Miss  Grant  1"  exclaimed  the  Sheriff  in 
amazement :  "  what  have  they  to  do  with  my  journal?" 

"They'd  enough  to  do  to  get  out  of  the  jaws  of  that  there 
painter,  or  panther,"  said  the  immoveable  steward.  "Thin  here 
thingum'y,  Squire,  that  maybe  looks  pum'mat  like  a  rat,  is  Ilic 
beast,  d'ye  see  ;  and  thia  here  t'other  thing  keel  uppermost  i« 


SMS  PIONEERS.  295 

Boor  old  Brave,  who  died  nobly,  all  the  same  aa  an  admiral 
lighting  for  his  king  and  country ;  and  that  there  " — 

"  Scarecrow,"  interrupted  Richard. 

"Ay,  mayhap  it  do  look  a  little  \vild  or  so,"  continued  the 
steward;  "but  to  my  judgment,  Squire,  it's  the  best  image  I've 
made,  seeing  it's  most  like  the  man  himself ; — well,  that's  Natty 
Bumppo,  who  sljot  this  here  painter,  that  killed  that  there  dog, 
who  would  have  eaten  or  done  worse  to  them  here  young  ladies. 

"  And  what  the  devil  does  all  this  mean  ? "  cried  Richard  im- 
patiently. 

" Mean  ! "  echoed  Benjamin ;  "it  is  as  true  as  the  Boadishey's 
,og-book  " — 

H3  was  interrupted  by  the  Sheriff,  who  put  a  few  direct 
questions  to  him  that  obtained  more  intelligible  answers,  by 
which  means  he  became  possessed  of  a  tolerably  correct  idea  of 
the  truth.  When  the  wonder,  and,  we  must  do  Richard  the 
justice  to  say,  the  feelings  also,  that  were  created  by  this  narrative, 
had  in  some  degree  subsided,  the  Sheriff  turned  his  eyes  again 
on  his  journal,  where  more  inexplicable  hieroglyphics  met  hia 
view. 

"  What  have  we  here  ! "  he  cried  ;  "  two  men  boxing  1  has 
there  been  a  breach  of  the  peace?  ah,  that's  the  way,  the 
moment  my  back  is  turned  "— 

"That's  the  Judge  and  young  Master  Edwards/*  interrupted 
the  steward  very  cavalierly. 

"  How !  'duke  fighting  with  Oliver !  what  the  devil  has  got 
into  you  all.?  more  things  have  happened  within  the  last  thirty- 
six  hours  than  in  the  preceding  six  months." 

"  Yes,  it's  so  indeed,  Squire,"  returned  the  steward ;  "  I've 
known  a  smart  chase,  and  a  fight  at  the  tail  of  it,  where  less  has 
been  logged  than  I've  got  on  that  there  slate.  Howsomnever, 
they  didn't  come  to  facers,  only  passed  a  little  jaw  fore  and  aft." 

"  Explain  1  explain  ! "  cried  Richard  :  "  it  was  about  tha 
mines,  ha  !  ay,  ay,  I  see  it ;  I  see  it ;  here  is  a  man  with  a  pick 
on  his  shoulder.  So  you  heard  it  all,  Benjamin  ?  " 

"Why,  yea,  it  was  about  their  minds,  I  believe,  Squire,"  ro- 
turned  the  steward  ;  "  and  by  what  I  can-  learn,  they"  spoke  them 
pretty  plainly  to  one  another.  Indeed  I  may  say  that  I  over- 
heard a  small  matter  of  it  myself,  seeing  that  the  windows  was 
open,  and  I  hard  by.  But  this  here  is  no  pick,  but  an  anchor  on 
a  man's  shoulder ;  and  here's  the  other  fluke  down  his  back, 
maybe  a  little  too  close,  which  signifies  that  the  lad  has  got  under 
way  and  left  his  moorings." 

"  Has  Edwards  left  the  house  ?  " 

"He  has." 

Richard  pursued  this  advantage ;  and,  after  a  long  and  close 
examination^  he  succeeded  in  getting  out  of  Benjamin  all  that  he 


296  T8B  PIONEERS. 

knew,  not  only  concerning  the  misunderstanding,  but  of  tho 
attempt  to  search  the  hut,  and  Hiram's  discomfiture.  The  Sheriif 
was  no  sooner  possessed  of  these  facts,  which  Benjamin  related 
with  all  possible  tenderness  to  the  Leather-stocking,  than,  snatch 
ing  tip  his  hat,  and  bidding  the  astonished  stowurd  secure  the 
doors  and  go  to  his  bed,  he  left  the  house. 

For  at  least  five  minutes  after  Richard  di^ppearcd,  Benjamia 
stood  with  his  arms  akimbo,  and  his  eyes  fastened  on  the  door  : 
when,  having  collected  his  astonished  faculties,  he  prepared  to 
execute  the  orders  he  had  received. 

It  has  been  already  said  that  the  "  court  of  common  pleas  and 
general  sessions  of  the  peace,"  or,  as  it  is  commonly  called,  the 
"  county  court,"  over  which  Judge  Temple  presided,  held  one  of 
its  stated  sessions  on  the  following  morning.  The  attendants  of 
Richard  were  officers  who  had  come  to  the  village,  as  much  to 
discharge  their  usual  duties  at  this  court,  as  to  escort  the  prisoners; 
and  the  Sheriff  knew  their  habits  too  well  not  to  feel  confident 
he  should  find  most,  if  not  all  of  them,  in  the  public  room  of  tin; 
gaol,  discussing  the  qualities  of  the  keeper's  liquors.  Accordingly 
he  held  his  way  through  the  silent  streets  of  the  village,  directly 
to  the  small  and  insecure  building  that  contained  all  the  un- 
fortunate debtors,  and  some  of  the  criminals  of  the  county,  and 
where  justice  was  administered  to  such  unwary  applicants  as 
were  so  silly  as  to  throw  away  two  dollars  in  order  to  obtain  ono 
from  their  neighbours.  The  arrival  of  four  malefactors  in  tho 
custody  of  a  dozen  officers  was  an,  event  at  that  day  in  Templeton ; 
and  wnen  the  Sheriff  reached  the  gaol,  he  found  every  indication 
that  his  subordinates  intended  to  make  a  night  of  it. 

The  nod  of  'the  Sheriff  brought  two  of  his  deputies  to  the  door, 
who  in  their  turn  drew  off  six  or  seven  of  the  constables.  With 
this  force  Richard  led  the  way  through  the  village  towards  the 
bank  of  the  lake,  undisturbed  by  any  noise,  except  the  barking 
of  one  or  two  curs,  who  were  alarmed  by  the  measured  tread  of 
the  party,  and  by  the  low  murmurs  that  ran  through  their  own 
numbers  as  a  few  cautious  questions  and  answers  were  exchanged, 
relative  to  the  object  of  their  expedition.  When  they  had  crosseu 
the  little  bridge  of  hewn  logs  that  was  thrown  over  the  Susque- 
hanna,  they  left  the  highway,  and  struck  into  that  field  which 
jhad  been  the  scene  of  the  victory  over  the  pigeons.  From  this 
they  followed  their  leader  into  the  low  bushes  of  pines  and  chest- 
nuts which  had  sprung  up  along  the  shores  of  the  hike,  where 
the  plough  had  not  succeeded  the  fall  of  the  trees,  and  soon 
entered  the  forest  itself.  Here  Richard  paused  and  collected  his 
troop  around  him. 

"  I  have  required  your  assistance,  my  friends,"  he  said  in  a  lov; 
voice,  "in  order  to  arrest  Nathaniel  Bumppo,  commonly  called 
^the  Leather-stocking.  He  has  assaulted  a  magistrate,  and  re; 


THE  PIONEERS.  297 

the  execution  of  a  search-warrant,  by  threatening  the  life  of  a 
-onstable  with  his  rifle.  In  short,  niy  friends,  he  has  set  an 
example  of  rebellion  to  the  laws,  and  has  become  a  kind  of  out- 
'a,vr.  He  is  suspected  of  other  misdemeanours  and  offences  against 
private  rights ;  and  I  have  this  night  taken  on  myself,  by  the 
virtue  of  iny  office  of  Sheriff,  to  arrest  the  said  Buinppo,  and 
bring  him  to  the  county  gaol,  that  he  may  be  present  and  forth- 
coming to  answer  to  these  heavy  charges  before  the  court  to- 
morrow morning.  In  executing  this  duty,  friends  and  fellow- 
citizens,  you  are  to  use  courage  and  discretion.  Courage,  that 
you  may  not  be  daunted  by  any  lawless  attempts  that  this  man 
may  make  with  his  rifle  and  his  dogs  to  oppose  you ;  and 
discretion,  which  here  means  caution  and  prudence,  that  he  may 
not  escape  from  this  sudden  attack — and,  for  other  good  reasons 
that  I  need  not  mention.  You  will  form  yourselves  in  a  complete 
circle  around  his  hut,  and  at  the  word  '  advance,'  called  aloud  by 
me,  you  will  rush  forward,  and,  without  giving  the  criminal  time 
for  deliberation,  enter  his  dwelling  by  force,  and  make  him  your 
prisoner.  Spread  yourselves  for  this  purpose,  while  I  shall 
descend  to  the  shore  with  a  deputy  to  take  charge  of  that  point ; 
and  all  communications  must  be  made  directly  to  me,  under  the 
bank  in  front  of  the  hut,  where  I  shall  station  myself,  and  remain 
in  order  to  receive  them." 

This  speech,  which  Richard  had  been  studying  during  his  walk, 
had  the  effect  that  all  similar  performances  produce,  of  bringing 
the  dangers  of  the  expedition  immediately  before  the  eves  of  his 
forces.  The  men  divided,  some  plunging  deeper  into  the  forest, 
in  order  to  gain  their  stations  without  giving  an  alarm,  and  others 
continuing  to  advance,  at  a  gait  that  would  allow  the  whole  party 
to  get  in  order ;  but  all  devising  the  best  plan  to  repulse  the 
attack  of  a  dog  or  to  escape  a  rifle  bullet.  It  was  a  moment  of 
dread,  expectation,  and  interest. 

When  the  Sheriff  thought  time  enough  had  elapsed  for  the 
different  divisions  of  his  force  to  arrive  at  their  stations,  he  raised 
his  voice  in  the  silence  of  the  forest,  and  shouted  the  watchword. 
The  sounds  -played  among  the  arched  branches  of  the  trees  in 
hollow  cadences ;  but  when  the  last  sinking  tone  was  lost  on  the 
ear,  in  place  of  the  expected  howla  of  the  dogs,  no  other  noises 
were  returned  but  the  crackling  of  torn  branches  and  dried 
sticks,  as  they  yielded  before  the  advancing  steps  of  the  officers. 
Even  this  soon  ceased,  as  if  by  a  common  consent,  when  the 
curiosity  and  impatience  of  the  Sheriff  getting  the  complete 
ascendency  over  discretion,  he  rushed  up  the  bank,  and  in  a 
moment  stood  on  a  little  piece  of  cleared  ground  in  front  of  the 
!spot  where  Natty  had  so  long  lived.  To  his  amazement,  in  place 
of  the  hut,  he  saw  only  its  smouldering  ruins. 

The  party  gradually  drew  together  about  the  heap  of  ashes  and 


298  Till-:  PIONK&&S. 

the  ends  of  tmoking  logs  ;  while  ,-x  dim  flame  in  the  centre  of  tho 
ruin,  which  still  found  fuel  to  feed  its  lingering  life,  threw  it* 
pale  light,  flickering  with  the  passing  currents  of  the  air,  around 
the  circle, — now  showing  a  face  with  eyes  fixed  in  astonishment, 
and  then  glancing  to  another  countenance,  leaving  the  former 
shaded  ia  the  obscurity  of  night.  Not  a  voice  was  raised  in 
inquiry,  nor  au  exclamation  made  in  astonishment.  The  tran- 
sition from  excitement  to  disappointment  was  too  powerful  for 
speech  ;  and  even  Richard  lost  the  use  of  au  organ  that  wa.-i 
seldom  known  to  fail  him. 

The  whole  group  were  yet  in  the  fulness  of  their  surprise, 
when  a  tall  form  stalked  from  the  gloom  into  the  circle,  treading 
down  the  hot  aah'es  and  dying  embers,  with  callous  feet ;  and, 
standing  over  the  light,  lifted  his  cap,  and  exposed  the  bare  head 
and  weather-beaten  features  of  the  Leather-stocking.  For  a 
moment  he  gazed  at  the  dusky  figures  who  surrounded  him,  more 
in  sorrow  than  in  anger,  before  he  spoke. 

"What  would  ye  have  Avith  an  old  and  helpless  man? "lie 
said.  "  You've  driven  God's  creaters  from  the  wilderness,  where 
His  providence  had  put  them  for  His  own  pleasure  ;  and  you've 
brought  in  the  troubles  and  diviltics  of  the  law,  where  uo  man 
was  ever  known  to  disturb  another.  You  have  driven  me,  that 
have  lived  forty  long  years  of  my  appointed  time  in  this  very 
spot,  from  my  home  and  the  shelter  of  my  head,  lc.4  you  should 
put  your  wicked  feet  and  wasty  ways  in  my  cabin.  You'vo 
driven  me  to  burn  these  log*,  under  which  I've  eaten  and  drunk 
— tho  first  of  Heaven's  gifts,  and  the  other  of  the  pure  springs — 
for  the  half  of  a  hundred  years  ;  and  to  mourn  the  ashes  under 
my  feet,  as  a  man  would  weep  and  mourn  for  the  children  of  his 
body.  You've  rankled  the  heart  of  an  old  man,  that  has  never 
harmed  you  or  vourn,  with  bitter  feelings  towards  his  kind,  at  a 
time  when  his  thoughts  should  be  on  a  better  world  ;  and  you've 
driven  him  to  wish  that  the  beasts  of  the  forest,  who  never  feast 
on  the  blood  of  their  own  families,  was  his  kindled  and  race  ; 
and  now,  when  be  has  come  to  see  the  last  brand  of  his  huts 
before  it  is  incited  into  ashes,  yoii  follow  him  up,  at  midnight, 
like  hungry  hounds  on  the  track  of  a  worn-out  and  dying  deer. 
What  more  would  ye  have  ?  for  I  am  here—  one  to  many.  1 
come  to  mourn,  not  to  fight ;  and.  if  it  is  God's  pleasure,  work 
your  wiH  on  me." 

When  the  old  man  ended,  he  stood,  with  the  light  glimmering 
around  his  thinly-covered  head,  looking  earnestly  at  the  group, 
which  receded  from  the  pile  with  an  involuntary  movement, 
without  the  reach  of  the  quivering  rays,  leaving  a  free  passage 
for  his  retreat  into  the  bushes,  where  pursuit,  in  the  dark,  would 
have  been  fruitless.  Natty  secim-d  not  to  regard  this  advantage  ; 
but  stood  facing  each  individual  in  the  circle  in  succession,  as  if 


THE  PIONEERS.  299 

to  see  who  would  be  thfe  first  to  arrest  him.  After  a  pause  of  a 
few  moments,  Richard  began  to  rally  his  confused  faculties  ;  and, 
advancing,  apologised  for  his  duty,  and  made  him  his  prisoner. 
The  party  now  collected ;  and,  preceded  by  the  Sheriff,  with 
Natty  iu  their  centre,  they  took  tneir  way  towards  the  village. 

During  the  walk,  divers  questions  were  put  to  the  prisoner 
concerning  his  reasons  for  burning  the  hut,  and  whither  Mohegan 
had  retreated  ;  but  to  all  of  them  he  observed  a  profound  silence, 
until,  fatigued  with  their  previous  duties  and  the  lateness  of  (he 
hour,  the  Sheriff  and  his  followers  reached  the  village,  and  dis- 
persed to  their  several  places  of  rest,  after  turning  the  key  of  a 
gaol  on  the  aged  and  apparently  friendless  Leather-stocking. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII 

IMoh  here  the  stocks,  1m  1 

Ton  stubborn  aucieiit  knave,  you  reverend  braggart, 

We'll  teach  you.  Lett'. 

THE  long  days  and  early  sun  of  July  allowed  time  for  a  gathering 
of  the  interested  before  the  little  bell  of  the  academy  announced 
that  the  appointed  hour  had  arrived  for  administering  right  to 
the  wronged,  and  punishment  to  the  guilty.  Ever  since  the 
dawn  of  day,  the  highways  and  woodpatha  that,  issuing  from  the 
forests,  and  winding  along  the  sides  of  the  mountains,  centred  in 
Templeton,  had  been  thronged  with  equestrians  and  footmen, 
bound  to  the  haven  of  justice.  There  was  to  be  seen  a  well-clad 
yeoman,  mounted  on  a  sleek,  switch-tailed  steed,  ambling  along 
the  highway,  \vith  his  red  face  elevated  in  a  manner  that  said, 
"  I  have  paid  for  my  land,  and  J'ear  GO  man  ; "  while  his  bosom 
was  swelling  with  the  pride  of  being  one  of  the  grand  inquest  for 
the  county.  At  his  side  rode  a  companion,  his  equal  in  independ- 
ence of  feeling,  perhaps,  but  his  inferior  in  thrift  as  in  property 
and  consideration.  This  was  a  /professed  dealer  in  lawsuits, — a 
man  whose  name  appeared  in  every  calendar, — whose  substance, 
gained  in  the  multifarious  expedients  of  a  settler's  changeable 
habits,  was  wasted  in  feeding  the  harpivs  of  the  courts.  He  was 
endeavouring  to  impress  the  mind  of  the  grand  juror  with  the 
merits  of  a  cause  now  at  issue.  Along  with  these  was  a  pedestrian, 
who,  havir»£  thrown  a  rifle  frock  o\  ;r  his  shirt,  and  placed  his 
best  wool  nat  above  his  sunburnt  visage,  had  issued  from  his 
retreat  in  the  woods  by  a  footpath,  .and  was  striving  to  kee^ 
company  with  the  others,  on  his  way  to  hear  and  to  decide  the 
lUspulos  of  his  neighbour*,  as  a  pe'it  juror.  Fifty  similar  little 
knoU  of  countrymen  might  have  been  seen,  on  that  morning; 
journeying  towards  the  shire-tovr  on  the  same  eriund. 

By  ton  o'clock  the  streets  of  tii'j  village  were  filled  with  busy 
faces  ;  some  talking  of  thci>'  private  concerns,  some  listening  to  a 
popular  expounder  of  political  creeds;  and  others  gaping  in  at 
the  open  stores,  admiring  the  finery  or  examining  scythes,  axes, 
and  such  other  manufactures  as  attracted  their  curioMty  or 
excited  their  admiral  ion.  A  few  women  were  in  the  crowd, 
mostly  carrying  infant*,  and  followed,  at  a  lounging,  listless  gait, 


THE  PIONEERS.  301 

by  their  rustic  lords  and  masters.  There  was  ono  young  couple, 
in  whom  connubial  love  was  yet  fresh,  walking  at  a  respectful 
distance  from  each  other  ;  while  the  swain  directed  the  timid 
steps  of  his  bride,  by  a  gallant  offering  of  a  thumb  1 

At  the  first  stroke  of  the  bell,  Richard  issued  from  the  <3oor  cf 
the  "  Bold  Dragoon,"  flourishing  a  sheathed  sword,  that  he  was 
fond  of  saying  ms  ancestors  had  carried  in  one  of  Cromwell's 
victories,  and  crying,  in  an  authoritative  tone,  to  "  clear  the  way 
for  the  court."  The  order  was  obeyed  promptly,  though  not 
servilely,  the  members  of  the  crowd  nodding  familiarly  to  the 
members  of  the  procession  as  it  passed.  A  party  of  constables 
with  their  staves  followed  the  Sheriff,  preceding  Marmaduke  and 
four  plain,grave-looking  yeomen,  who  were  his  associates  on  the 
bench.  There  was  nothing  to  distinguish  these  subordinate 
judges  from  the  better  part  of  the  spectators,  except  gravity, 
which  they  affected  a  little  more  than  common,  and  that  one  of 
their  number  was  attired  in  an  old-fashioned  military  coat,  with 
skirts  that  reached  no  lower  than  the  middle  of  his  thighs,  and 
bearing  two  little  silver  epaulettes,  not  half  so  big  as  a  modern  pair 
of  shoulder  knots.  This  gentleman  was  a  colonel  of  the  militia, 
in  attendance  on  a  court-martial,  who  found  leisure  to  steal  a 
moment  from  his  military  to  attend  to  his  civil  jurisdiction  ;  but 
this  incongruity  excited  neither  notice  nor  comment.  Three  or 
four  clean-shaved  lawyers  followed,  as  meekly  as  if  they  wcro 
lambs  going  to  the  slaughter.  One  or  two  of  their  number  had 
contrived  to  obtain  an  air  of  scholastic  gra'dty  by  wearing 
spectacles.  The  rear  was  brought  up  by  another  posse  of  con- 
stables, and  the  mob  followed  the  whole  into  the  room  where  the 
court  held  its  sittings. 

The  edifice  was  composed  of  a  basement  of  squared  logs,  per- 
forated here  and  there  with  email  grated  windows,  through  which 
a  few  wistful  faces  were  gazing  at  the  crowd  without  Among 
the  captives  were  the  guilty,  downcast  countenances  of  the 
counterfeiters,  and  the  simple  but  honest  features  of  the  Leather- 
stocking.  The  dungeons  were  to  be  distinguished,  externally, 
from  the  debtors'  apartments  only  by  the  size  of  the  apertures, 
the  thickness  of  the  grates,  and  by  the  heads  of  the  spikes  that 
were  driven  into  the  logs  as  a  protection  against  the  illegal  use 
of  edgetools.  The  upper  storey  was  of  frame-work,  regularly 
covered  with  boards,  and  contained  one  room  decently  fitted  up 
for  the  purposes  of  justice.  A  bench,  raised  on  a  narrow  platform 
to  the  height  of  a  man  above  the  floor,  and  protected  in  front  by 
a  light  railing,  ran  along  one  of  its  sides.  In  the  centre  was  a 
seat,  furnished  with  rude  arms,  that  was  always  filled  by  tho 
presiding  judge.  In  front,  on  a  level  with  the  floor  of  the  room, 
was  a  large  table  covered  with  green  baize,  and  surrounded  by 
benches  :  and  at  either  of  its  ends  were  rows  of  seats,  rising  ore 


302  THE  PIONEERS. 

over  the  other,  for  jury  boxes.  Each  of  these  divisions  was 
surrounded  by  a  railing.  The  remainder  of  Jhe  rood  was  an 
open  space,  appropriated  to  the  spectators. 

When  the  judges  were  seated,  the  lawyers  had  taken  possession 
of  the  table,  and  the  noise  of  moving  feet  had  ceased'  in  the  area, 
the  proclamations  were  made  in  the.  usual  form,  the  jurors  were 
sworn,  the  charge  was  given,  and  the  court  proceeded  to  hear  the 
business  before  them. 

We  shall  not  detain  the  reader  with  a  description  of  the  captious 
discussions  that  occupied  the  court  for  the  first  two  hours.  Judge 
Temple  had  impressed  on  the  jury,  in  his  charge,  the  necessity 
for  despatch  on  their  part,  recommending  to  their  notice,  from 
motives  of  humanity,  trie  prisoners  in  the  gaol,  as  the  first  objects 
of  their  attention.  Accordingly,  after  the  period  we  have  men- 
tioned had  elapsed,  the  cry  of  the  officer  to  "  clear  the  way  for 
the  grand  jury,"  announced  the  entrance  of  that  body.  Tho 
usual  forms  were  observed,  when  the  foreman  handed  up  to  tho 
^onch  two  bills,  on  both  of  which  the  Judge  observed^  at  the 
first  glance  of  his  eye,  the  name  pf  Nathaniel  B»mppo.  It  was 
a  leisure  moment  with  the  court ,  some  low  whispering  passed 
between  the  bench  and  the  Sheriif,  who  gave  a  signal  to  his 
officers,  and  in  a  very  few  minutes  the  silence  that  prevailed  was 
interrupted  by  a  general  movement  in,  the  outer  crowd  ;  when 
presently  the  Leather-stocking  made  his  appearance,  ushered 
into  the  criminal's  bar  under  the  custody  of  two  constables.  The 
hum  ceased,  the  people  closed  into  the  open  space  again,  and  tho 
silence  soon  became  so  deep,  that  the  hard  breathing  of  the 
prisoner  was  audible. 

Natty  was  dressed  in  his  buck-skin  garments,  without  his  coat, 
in  place  of  which  he  wore  only  a  shirt)  of  coarse  linen-check, 
fastened  at  his  throat  by  the  sinew  of  a  deer,  leaving  his  red  neck 
and  weather-beaten  face  exposed  and  bare.  It  was  the  first  time 
that  he  had  ever  crossed  the  threshold  of  a  court  of  justice,  and 
curiosity  seemed  to  be  strongly  blended  with  his  personal 
feelings.  He  raised  his  eyes  to  the  bench,  thence  to  the  Jury- 
boxes,  the  bar,  and  the  crowd  without,  meeting  everywhere  looks 
fastened  on  himself.  After  surveying  his  own  person,  as  search- 
ing the  cause  of  this  unusual  attraction,  he  once  more  turned  his 
face  around  the  assemblage,  and  opened  his  mouth  in  one  of  his 
silent  and  remarkable  laughs.  ^ 

"  Prisoner,  remove  your  cap,"  said  Judge  Temple. 

The  order  was  either  unheard  or  unheeded. 

"  Nathaniel  Buruppo,  be  uncovered,"  repeated  the  Judge. 

Natty  started  at  the  sound  of  his  name,  and  raising  his  face 
earnestly  towards  the  bench,  he  said, — 

"Ananl" 

Mr.  Lij.pet  arose  from  his  seat  at  the  table,  and  whispered  in, 


THE  PIONEERS.  30.? 

tlie  ear  of  the  prisoner ;  when  Natty  gave  lain  a  nod  of  assent, 
and  took  the  deer-skin  covering  from  his  head. 

"Mr.  District  Attorney,"  said  the  Judge,  "the  prisoner  is 
ready  ;  we  wait  for  the  indictment." 

The  duties  of  public  prosecutor  were  discharged  by  Dirck  Van 
der  School,  who  adjusted  his  spectacles,  cast  a  cautious  look 
around  him  at  his  brethren  of  the  bar,  which  he  ended  by  throw- 
ing his  head  aside  so  as  to  catch  one  glance  over  the  glasses,  when 
he  proceeded  to  read  the  bill  aloud.  It  was  the  usual  charge  for 
an  assault  and  battery  on  the  person  of  Hiram  Doolittle,  and  was 
couched  in  the  ancient  language  of  such  instruments,  especial 
care  liaving  been  taken  by  the  scribe  not  to  omit  the  name  of  a 
bingle  offensive  weapon  known  to  the  law.  When  he  had  done, 
Mr.  Van  der  School  removed  his  spectacles,  which  he  closed  and 
placed  in  his  pocket,  seemingly  for  the  pleasure  of  again  opening 
and  replacing  them  on  his  nose.  After  this  evolution  was  re- 
peated onee  or  twice,  he  handed  the  bill  over  to  Mr.  Lippet,  with 
a  cavalier  air,  that  said  as  much  as  "  Pick  a  hole  in  that  it  you  can." 

Natty  listened  to  the  charge  with*  great  attention,  leaning 
forward  towards  the  reader  with  an  earnestness  that  denoted  his 
interest ;  and  when  it  was  ended,  he  raised  his  tall  body  to  the 
utmost,  and  drew  a  long  sigh.  All  eyes  were  turned  to  the 
prisoner,  whose  voice  was  vainly  expected  to  break  the  stillness 
of  the  room. 

"You  have  heard  the  presentment  that  the  grand  jury  have 
made,  Nathaniel  Bumppo,  said  the  Judge  ;  "  what  do  you  plead 
to  the  charge?" 

The  old  man  dropped  his  head  for  a  moment  in  a  reflecting 
attitude,  and  then  raising  it,  he  laughed  before  he  answered, — 

"  That  I  handled  the  man  a  little  rough  or  so,  is  not  to  be 
deuied  ;  but  that  there  was  occasion  to  make  use  of  all  the  things 
that  the  gentleman  has  spoken  of,  is  downright  untrue.  I  am 
not  much  of  a  wrestler,  seeing  that  I'm  getting  old  ;  but  I  was 
out  among  the  Scotch- Irishers — let  me  see — it  must  have  been  as 
long  ago  as  the  first  year  of  the  old  war" — 

"Mr.  Lippet,  if  you  are  retained  for  the  prisoner,"  interrupted 
Judge  Temple,  "instruct  your  client  how  to  plead  ;  if  not,  th<j 
court  will  assign  him  counsel." 

Aroused  from  studying  the  indictment  by  this  appeal,  the 
attorney  got  up,  and  after  a  short  dialogue  with  the  hunter  in  a 
Jaw  voice,  he  informed  the  court  that  they  were  ready  to 
proceed. 

"  Do  you  plead  guilty  or  not  guilty? "  said  the  Judge. 

"I  may  say  not  guilty  with  a  clean  conscience,"  returned 
Natty  i  "for  there's  no  guilt  iu  doing  what's  right ;  and  I'd 
rather  died  on  the  spot,  than  had  him  put  foot  in  the  hut  at  that 
moment." 


304  THE  PIONEERS. 

Richard  started  at  this  declaration,  and  bent  nis  eyes  signifi- 
cantly on  Hiram,  who  returned  the  look  with  a  slight  movement 
of  his  eyebrows. 

"  Proceed  to  open  the  cause,  Mr.  District  Attorney,"  continued 
the  Judge.  "  Mr.  Clerk,  enter  the  plea  of  not  guilty." 

After  a  short  opening  address  from  Mr.  Van  der  School,  Hiram 
was  summoned  to  the  bar  to  give  his  testimony.  It  was  delivered 
to  the  letter,  perhaps,  but  with  all  that  moral  colouring  whicu 
can  be  conveyed  uuder  such  expressions  as,  "thinking  no  harm," 
"  feeling  it  my  bound  en  duty  as  a  magistrate,"  and  "  seeing  that 
the  constable  was  back'ard  in  the  business."  When  he  had  done, 
and  the  District  Attorney  declined  putting  any  further  interroga- 
tories, Mr.  Lippet  arose,  with  an  air  of  keen,  investigation,  and 
asked  the  following  questions  ; — 

"  Are  you  a  constable  of  this  county,  sir  1 " 

"No,  sir,"  said  Hiram,  "I'm  only  a  justice-peace." 

"  I  ask  you,  Mr.  Doolittle,  in  the  face  of  this  court,  putting  it 
to  your  conscience  and  your  knowledge  of  the  law,  whether  you 
had  any  right  to  enter  that  man's  dwelling." 

"Hem!  said  Hiram,  undergoing  a  violent  struggle  between 
his  desire  for  vengeance  and  his  love  of  legal  fame ;  "I  do  suppose 
—that  in — that  is — strict  law — that  supposing — maybe  I  hadn't 
a  real — lawful  right ; — but  as  the  case  was — and  Billy  was  so 
back'ard — I  thought  I  might  come  for'ard  in  the  business." 

"  I  ask  you  again,  sir,"  continued  the  lawyer,  following  up  hia 
success,  "  whether  this  old,  this  friendless  old  man,  did  or  did 
not  .repeatedly  forbid  your  entrance  ?" 

"Why,  I  must  say,"  said  Hiram,  "that  he  was  considerable 
cross-grained  ;  not  what  I  call  clever,  seeing  that  it  was  only  one 
neighbour  wanting  to  go  into  the  house  of  another." 

"  Oh  1  then  you  own  it  was  only  meant  for  a  neighbourly  visit 
on  your  part,  and  without  the  sanction  of  law.  Remember, 
gentlemen,  the  words  of  the  witness,  'one  neighbour  wanting  to 
enter  the  house  of  another.'  Now,  sir,  I  ask  you  if  Nathaniel 
Bumppo  did  not  again  and  again  order  you  not  to  enter  ? " 

"  There  was  some  words  passed  between  us,"  said  Hiram,  "  but 
I  read  the  warrant  to  him  aloud." 

"  I  repeat  my  question ;  did  he  tell  yon  not  to  enter  hi& 
habitation?" 

"There  was  a  good  deal  passed  betwixt  u« — bnt  Fye  the 
warrant  in  my  pocket ;  maybe  the  court  would  wish  to 
ses  it  ?" 

(1  Witness,"  said  Judge  Temple,  "answer  the  question  directly j 
uid  or  did  not  the  prisoner  forbid  your  entering  liia  hull" 

"  Why,  I  some  think  "— 

li  Answer  without  equivocation,"  continued  the  Judge  sternly, 
r«  ,hvr» 


THE  PIONKEES:  :       305 

"And  did  you  attempt  to  enter  after  this  order?*' 

"i  did";  but  the  warrant  was  in  my  hand." 

"  Proceed,  Jlr.  Lippct,  with  your  examination." 

•But  the  attorney  saw  that  the  impression  was  in  favour  of  hit 
client,  and,  waving  his  haud  with  n  pupercilious  manner,  as  if 
unwilling  to  insult  the  understanding  of  the  jury  with  any 
further  defence,  he  replied, — ' 

"  No,  sir ;  I  leave  it  for  your  honour  to  charge ;  I  rest  my 
case  here." 

"Mr.. District  Attorney,"  said  the  Judge,  "havo  you  anything 
to  say?" 

"  Mr.  Yan  der  School  removed  his  spectacles,  folded  them,  and 
replacing  them  onco  more  on  his-  nose,  eyed  the  other  hill  which 
he  held  in  his  hand,  and  then  said,  looking  at  the  bar  over  the 
top  of  his  glasses?, — 

"  I  shall  rest  the  prosecution  hero,  if  the  court  please." 

Judge  Temple  arose  and  began  the  charge. 

"Gentlemen  of  the  jury,"  ho  said,  "you  have  heard  the  testi- 
mony, and  I  shall  detain  you  but  a  moment.  If  an  officer  meet 
with  resistance  in  the  execution  of  a  process,  he  has  an  undoubted 
right  to  call  any  citizen  to  his  assistance  ;  and  the  acts  of  such 
assistant  come  within  the  protection  of  the  law.  I  shall  leave 
you  to  judge,  gentlemen,  from  Ihe  testimony,  hoM»jfar  tho  witness 
in  this  prosecution  can  be  so  considered,  feeling  less? reluctance  to 
submit  the  case  thus  informally  to  your  decision,  because  there 
is  yet  another  indictment  to  bo  tried,  which  involves  heavier 
charges  against  the  unfortunate  prisoner." 

The  tone  of  Marmaduke  was  mild  and  insinuating,  and  as  his 
sentiments  were  given  with  such  apparent  impartiality,  they  did 
riot  fail  of  carrying  due  weight  with  the  jury.  The  gravc-look- 
ijig  yeomen,  \vfio  composed  this  tribunal,  laid  their  heads  together 
:for  a  few  minutes,  without  leaving  the  box,  when  the  foreman 
;arose,  and  after  the  forms  of  the  court  were  duly  observed  ho 
pronounced  the  prisoner  to  be, — 

"Not  guilty." 

"  You  are  acquitted  of  this  charge,  Nathaniel  Bumppo,  said 
the  Judge. 

"Aiian!"  said  Natty. 

"You  are  found  not  guilty  of  striking  and  assaulting  Mr. 
Doolittle," 

"  No,  no,  I'll  not  deny  but  that  I  took  him  a  little  roughly  by 
the  shoulders,"  said  Natty,  looking  about  him  with  great  sim- 
plicity, "and  that  I"— 

"  You  are  acquitted,"  interrupted  tho  Judge ;  "  and  there  is 
nothing  further  to  be  said  or  done  in  the  matter." 

A  look  of  joy  lighted  up  the  features  of  the  old  man,  who  now 
comprehended  the  case,  and,  placing  his  cap  eagerly  on  his 


306  THE  PIONEERS. 

head  again,  ke  threw  up  the  bar  of  bis  little  prison,  and  said 
feelingly, — 

"  I  must  say  this  for  you,  Judge  Temple,  that  the  law  has  not 
been  so  hard  on  me  as  I  dreaded.  I  hope  God  will  bless  you  »for 
the  kind  things  you've  done  to  me  this  day." 

But.  the  staff  of  the  constable  was  opposed  to  his  egress,  and 
Mr.  Lippet  whispered  a  few  words  in  nis  ear,  when  the  aged 
hunter  sank  back  into  his  place,  and,  removing  his  cap,  stroked 
down  the  remnants  of  his  grey  and  sandy  locks,  with  an  air  of 
mortification  mingled  with  submission. 

"Mr.  District  Attorney,"  said  Judge  Temple,  affecting  to 
busy  himself  with  his  minutes,  "proceed  \vith  the  second 
indictment." 

Mr.  Van  der  School  took  great  care  that  no  part  of  the  pre- 
sentment, which  he  now  read,  should  be  lost  cu  his  auditors. 
It  accused  the  prisoner  of  resisting  the  execution  of  a  search- 
warrant,  by  force  of  arms,  and  particularized,  in  the  vague 
language  of  the  law,  among  a  variety  of  other  weapons,  the  u.se 
of  the  rifle.  This  was  indeed  a  more  serious  charge  than  an 
ordinary  assault  and  battery,  and  a  corresponding  degree  of 
interest  was  manifested  by  the  spectators  in  its  result.  TJtf 
prisoner  was  duly  arraignea,  and  hia  plea  again  demanded.  Mr. 
Lippet  had  anticipated  the  answers  of  Natty,  and  in  a  whisper 
advised  him  how  to  plead.  But  the  feelings  of  the  old  hunter 
were  awakened  by  some  of  the  expressions  of  the  indictment, 
and,  forgetful  of  his  caution,  he  exclaimed, — 

"'Tis  a  wicked  untruth  ;  I  crave  no  man's  blood.  Them 
thieves,  the  Iroquois,  won't  say  it  to  my  face,  that  I  ever  thirsted 
after  man's  blood.  I  have  fou't  as  a  soldier  that  feared  his 
Maker  and  his  officer,  but  I  never  pulled  trigger  on  any  but  a 
warrior  that  was  up  and  awake.  No  man  can  say  that  I  ever 
struck  even  a  Mingo  in  his  blanket.  I  believe  there's  some  who 
thinks  there's  no  God  in  a  wilderness  1 " 

"Attend  to  your  plea,  Bumppo,"  said  the  Judge  ;  "  you  hear 
that  you  are  accused  of  using  your  rifle  against  an  officer  of 
justice  ;  are  you  guilty  or  not  guilty  ? " 

By  this  time  the  irritated  feelings  of  Natty  had  found  vent  : 
and  he  rested  on  the  bar  for  a  moment,  in  a  musing  posture, 
when  he  lifted  his  face,  with  his  silent  laugh,  and,  pointing  to 
where  the  wood-chopper  stood,  he  said, — 

"  Would  Billy  Kirby  be  standing  there,  d'ye  think,  if  I  had 
used  the  rifle?" 

"  Then  you  deny  it,"  said  Mr.  Lippet ;  "  you  plead  not  guilty  ? " 

"Sartain,"  said  Natty  ;  "Billy  knows  that  I  never  fired  at  all. 
Billy,  do  you  remember  the  turkey  last  winter  ?  ah  !  me  !  that 
was  better  than  common  firing  ;  but  I  can't  shoot  as-  I  used 
to  could." 


'I'HE  PIONEEKS.  30? 

"  Enter  the  plea  of  not  guilty,"  haid  Judge  Temple,  strongly 
affected  by  the  simplicity  of  the  prisoner. 

Hiram  was  again  sworn,  and  his  testimony  given  on  the  second 
charge.  He  had  discovered  his  former  error,  and  proceeded  more 
cautiously  than  before..  He  related  very  distinctly,  and,  for  the 
man,  with  amazing  terseness,  the  suspicion  against  the  hunter, 
the  complaint,  the  issuing  of  the  warrant,  and  the  swearing  in  of 
Kirby  ;  all  of  which,  he  affirmed,  were  done  in  due  form  of  law. 
He  then  added  the  manner  in  which  the  constable  had  been  re- 
ceived ;  and  stated  distinctly,  that  Natty  had  pointed  the  rifle 
at  Kirby  and  threatened  his  life  if  he  attempted  to  execute  his 
duty.  All  this  was  confirmed  by  Jotham,  who  was  observed  to 
adhere  closely  to  the  story  of  the  magistrate.  Mr.  Lippet  con- 
ducted an  artful  cross-examination  of  these  two  witnesses,  but 
after  consuming  much  time,  was  compelled  to  relinquish  the 
attempt  to  obtain  any  advantage,  in  despair. 

At  length  the  District  Attorney  called  the  wood-chopper  to  the 
bar.  Billy  gave  an  extremely  confused  account  of  the  whole 
affair,  although  he  evidently  aimed  at  the  truth,  until  Mr.  Van 
der  School  aided  him,  by  asking  some  direct  questions : — 

"  It  appears,  from  examining  the  papers,  that  you  demanded 
admission  into  the  hut  legally ;  so  you  were  put  in  bodily  fear 
by  his  rifle  and  threats  ?" 

"  J  didn't  mind  them  that,  man,"  said  Billy,  snapping  his 
fingers ;  "  I  should  be  a  poor  stick  to  mind  old  Leather- 
stocking." 

"But  I  understood  you  to  say  (referring  to  your  previous 
words  (as  delivered  here  in  court),  in  the  commencement  of 
your  testimony),  that  you  thought  he  meant  to  shoot  you?" 

"To  be  sure  I  did  ;  and  so  would  you  too,  squire,  if  you  had 
seen  the  chap  dropping  a  muzzle  that  never  misses,  and  cocTcing 
an  eye  that  ha*  a  nateral  squint  by  long  practice.  I  thought 
there  would  be  a  dust  ou't,  and  my  back  was  up  at  once  ; 
but  Leather -stocking  gi'n  up  the  skin,  and  so  the  matter 
Muled." 

'•Ah  !  Billy,"  said  Natty,  shaking  his  head,  "'twas  a  lucky 
thought  in  me  to  throw  out  the  hide,  or  there  might  have  been 
blood  spilt ;  and  I'm  sure,  if  it  had  been  yourn,  I  should  have 
inournM  it  sorely  the  little  while  I  have  to  stay." 

"Well,  Leather-stocking,"  returned  Billy,  facing  the  prisoner 
with  a  freedom  and  familiarity  that  utterly  disregarded  the 
presence  of  the  court,  "as  you  are  on  the  subject,  it  may  be  that 
you've  no" — 

"Go  on  with  your  examination,  Mr.  District  Attorney." 

Tliat  gentleman  eyed  the  familiarity  between  his  witness  and 
Ihe  prisoner  with  manifest  disgust,  and  indicated  to  the  court 
thai  lie  was  done 


30*  THE  PIONEERS. 

i 

"Then  you  didn't  feel  frightened,  Mr.  KirbyH  eaid  the 
counsel  for  the  prisoner. 

"  Me !  no,"  said  Billy,  casting  his  eyes  over  his  own  Jiugo 
frame  with  evident  self- satisfaction  ;  "  I  in  not  to  bo  skeared  so 
easy." 

"  You  look  like  a  hardy  man  ;  where  were  you  bom,  sir  1 " 

"  Varinount  State  ;  'tis  a  mountaynious  place,  but  there's  a 
stiff  soil,  and  it's  pretty  much  wooded  with  beech  and  maple." 

u  I  have  always  heard  so,"  said  Mr.  Lippet  soothingly.  "  You 
have  been  used  to  the  rifle  yourself,  in  that  country  I " 

"  I  pull  the  second  best  trigger  in  this  county.  I  knock  under 
to  Natty  Bumppo  there,  sin'  he  shot  the  pigeon." 

Leather-stocking  raised  his  head,  and  laughed  again,  when  ho 
abruptly  thrust  out  a  wrinkled  hand,  and  said, — 

"  You're  youn<*  yet,  Billy,  and  haven't  seen  the  matches  that 
I  have  :  but  hertfs  my  hand  ;  I  bear  no  malice  to  you,  I  don't." 

Mr.  Lippet  allowed  this  conciliatory  offering  to  be  accepted, 
and  judiciously  paused,  while  the  spirit  cf  peace  was  exercis- 
ing its  influence  over  the  two ;  but  the  Judge  interposed  his 
authority. 

"This  \a  an  improper  place  for  such  dialogues,"  he  Raid. 
"  Proceed  with  your  examination  of  this  witness,  Mr.  Lippet,  or  I 
shall  order  the  next." 

The  attorney  started,  as  if  unconscious  of  any  impropriety,  and 
continued, — 

"  So  you  settled  the  matter  with  Natty  amicably  on  the  spot, 
did  you?" 

"He  gi'n  me  the  skin,  and  I  didn't  want  to  quarrel  with  an 
old  man  ;  for  my  part,  I  see  no  such  mighty  matter  in  shooting 
a  buck!" 

"  And  you  parted  friends  ?  and  you  would  never  have  thought 
of  bringing  the  business  up  before  a  court,  hadn't  you  been 
subpoenaed  ? " 

"I  don't  think  I  should  ;  he  gi'n  the  skin,  and  I  didn't  feel  a 
hard  thought,  though  Squire  Doolitlle  got  some  affronted." 

"  I  have  done,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Lippet,  probably  relying  on  the 
charge  of  the  Judge,  as  he  again  seated  himself,  with  the  air  of  a 
man  who  felt  that  his  success  was  certain. 

When  Mr.  Van  der  School  arose  to  address  the  jury,  he  com- 
menced by  saying,-— 

"  Gentlemen  of  the  jury,  I  should  have  interrupted  the  leading 
questions  put  by  the  prisoner's  counsel  (by  leading  questions  I 
mean  telling  him  what  to  say),  did  I  not  feel  confident  that  the  law 
of  the  land  was  superior  to  any  advantages  (I  mean  legal  advan- 
tages) which  he  might  obtain  by  his  art.  The  counsel  for  the 
prisoner,  gentlemen,  has  endeavoured  to  persuade  you,  in  oppo- 
sition to  your  own  good  sense,  to  believe  that  pointing  a  rifle  at 


THE  PIONEERS.  309 

a  constabla  (elected  or  deputed)  is  a  very  innocent  affair ;  and 
that  society  (I  mean  the  commonwealth,  gentlemen)  shall  not  be 
findangered  thereby.  But  let  me  claim  your  attention,  while  we 
look  over  the  particulars  of  this  heinous  offence."  Here  Mr.  Van. 
der  School  favoured  the  jury  with  an  abridgment  of  the  testi- 
mony, recounted  in  such  a  manner  as  utterly  to  confuse  the 
faculties  of  his  worthy  listeners.  After  this  exhibition  he  closed 
as  follows ; — "  And  now,  gentlemen,  having  thus  made  plain  to 
your  senses  the  crime  of  which  this  unfortunate  man  has  been 
guilty  (unfortunate  both  on  account  of  his  ignorance  and  his 
guilt),  I  s"hall  leave  you  to  your  own  consciences ;  not  in  the 
least  doubting,  that  you  will  see  the  importance  (notwithstanding 
the  prisoner's  counsel  (doubtless  relying  on  your  former  verdict) 
wishes  to  appear  so  confident  of  success)  of  punishing  the  offender, 
and  asserting  the  dignity  of  the  laws." 

It  was  now  the  duty  of  the  Judge  to  deliver  his  charge.  It 
consisted  of  a  short,  comprehensive  summary  of  the  testimony, 
laying  bare  the  artifice  of  the  prisoner's  counsel,  and  placing  the 
facts  in  so  obvious  a  light,  that  they  could  not  well  be  misunder- 
stood. "Living  as  we  do,  gentlemen,"  he  concluded,  "on  the 
skirts  of  society,  it  becomes  doubly  necessary  to  protect  the 
ministers  of  the  law.  If  you  believe  the  witnesses  in  their  con- 
struction of  the  acts  of  the  prisoner,  it  is  your  duty  to  convict 
him ;  but  if  you  believe  that  the  old  man,  who  this  day  appears 
before  you,  meant  not  to  harm  the  constable,  but  was  acting 
more  under  the  influence  of  habit  than  by  the  instigations  of 
malice,  it  will  be  your  duty  to  judge  him,  but  to  do  it  with 
lenity." 

As  before,  the  jury  did  not  leave  their  box ;  but,  after  a  con- 
sultation of  some  little  time,  their  foreman  arose,  and  pronounced 
the  prisoner, — 

"  GuiHy." 

There  was  but  little  surprise  manifested  in  the  court-room  at 
this  verdict,  as  the  testimony,  the  greater  part  of  which  we  have 
omitted,  was  too  clear  and  direct  to  be  passed  over.  The  judges 
seemed  to  have  anticipated  this  sentiment,  for  a  consultation  was 
passing  among  them  also,  during  the  deliberation  of  the  iurj, 
and'  the  preparatory  movements  of  the  "  bench  "-  announced  the 
coming  sentence. 

"Nathaniel  Bumppo,"  commenced  the  Judge,  malting  the 
customary  pause. 

The  old  hunter,  who  had  been  musing  again,  with,  his  head 
on  the  bar,  raised  himself,  and  cried,  with  a  prompt  military 
tone,—- 

"Here. 

The  Judge  waved  his  hand  for  silence,  and  proceeded) — 

"  In  forming  their  sentence,  the  court  have  been  governed  a* 


310  v  THE  PlONMESSt 

much  by  the  consideration  of  your  Ignorance  of  the  laws,  as  "by  a 
strict  sense  of  the  importance  of  punishing  such  outrages  as  this 
of  which  you  have  loeen  found  guilty.  They  have,  therefore, 
passed  over  the  obvious  punishment  of  whipping  on  the  bare 
back,  in  mercy  to  your  years ;  but  as  the  dignity  of  the  law 
requires  an  open  exhibition  of  the  consequences  of  your  crime,  it 
is  ordered,  that  you  be  conveyed  from  this  room  lo  the  public 
stocks,  where  you  are  to  be  confined  for  one  hour  ;  that  you  pay 
a  fine  to  the  State  of  one  hundred  dollars ;  and  that  you  be 
imprisoned  in  the  gaol  of  this  county  for  one  calendar  month  ; 
and  furthermore,  that  your  imprisonment  do  not  cease  until 
the  said  fine  shall  be  paid.  I  feel  it  my  duty,  Nathaniel 
Bumppo  " — 

"And  where  should  I  g«t  the  money?"  interrupted  the 
Leather- stocking  eagerly  ;  "  where  should  I  get  the  money  ? 
you'll  take  away  the  bounty  on  the  painters,  because  I  cut  the 
throat  of  a  deer ;  and  how  is  an  old  man  to  find  so  much  gold 
or  silver  in  the  woods  ?  No,  no,  Judge  ;  think  better  of  it,  and 
don't  talk  of  shutting  me  up  in  a  gaol  for  the  little  time  I  have 
to  stay." 

"  If  you  have  anything  to  urge  against  the  passing  of  tho 
sentence,  the  court  will  yet  hear  you,"  said  the  Judge  mildly. 

"  I  have  enough  to  say  ag'in  it,"  cried  Natty,  grasping  the  bar 
on  which  his  fingers  were  working  with  a  convulsed  motion. 
"Where  am  I  to  get  the  money?  Let  me  out  into  the  woods 
and  hills,  where  I've  been  used  to  breathe  the  clear  air,  and 
though  I'm  threescore  and  ten,  if  you've  left  game  enough  in  the 
country,  I'll  travel  night  and  day  but  I'll  make  you  up  the  sum 
afore  the  season  is  over.  Yes-,  yes — you  see  the  reason  of  the 
thing,  and  the  wickedness  of  shutting  up  an  old  man,  that  has 
spent  his  days,  as  one  may  sayj  where  he  could  always  look  into 
the  windows  of  heaven." 

"  I  must  be  governed  by  the  law  " — 

"  Talk  not  to  me  of  law,  Marmaduke  Temple,"  interrupted  the 
hunter.  "Did  the  beast  of  the  forest  mind  your  laws,  when  it 
was  thirsty  and  hungering  for  the  blood  of  your  own  child  !  She 
was  kneeling  to  her  God  for  a  greater  favour  than  I  ask,  and  He 
heard  her ;  and  if  you  now  say  no  to  my  prayers,  do  you  think 
He  will  be  deaf?" 

"My  private  feelings  must  not  enter  into" — 

"Hear  me,  Marmaduke  Temple,"  interrupted  the  old  man, 
with  melancholy  earnestness,  uand  hear  reason.  I've  travelled 
these  mountains  when  you  was  no  judge,  but  an  infant  in  your 
mother's  arms ;  and  I  feel  as  if  I  had  a  right  and  privilege  to 
travel  them  ag'in  afore  I  die.  Have  you  forgot  the  time  that 
you  come  on  to  the  lake-shore,  when  there  wasn't  even  a  gaol  to 
lodge  in  ;  and  didn't  I  give  you  my  own  bear-skin  to  sleep  on, 


THE  PIONEEttS.  311 

and  the  fat  of  a  noble  buck  to  satisfy  the  cravings  of  your 
Lunger?  Yes,  yes — you  thought  it  no  sin  then  to  kill  a  deer  ! 
And  this  I  did,  though  I  had  no  reason  to  love  you,  for  you  had 
never  clone  anything  but  harm  to  them  that  loved  -and  sheltered! 
rro.  And  now,  will  you  shut  me  .up  in  your  dungeons  to  pay 
me  fur  my  kindness  ?  A  hundred  dollars !  where  should  I  get 
the  money  ?  No,  no — there's  them  that  says  hard  things  of  you, 
Marniaduke  Temple,  but  you  an't  so  bad  as  to  wish  to  see  an  old 
man  die  in  a  prison,  because  he  stood  up  for  the  right.  Come, 
friend,  let  me  pass  ;  it's  long  sin'  I've  been  used  to  such  crowds, 
arid  I  crave  to  be  in  the  woods  ag'in.  Don't  fear  me,  Judge — I 
bid  you  not  to  fear  me  ;  for  if  there's  beaver  enough  left  on  the 
streams,  or  the  buckskins  will  sell  for  a  shilling  a-piece,  you 
shall  have  the  last  penny  of  the  fine.  Where  are  you  pups  I 
come  away,  dogs  !  come  away  1  we  have  a  grievous  toil  to  do  fori 
our  years,  but  it  shall  be  done — yes,  yes,  I've  promised  it,  and  it; 
shall  be  done  1 " 

It  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  the  movement  of  the 'Leather- 
stocking  was  again  intercepted  by  the  constable  ;  but  before  he 
had  time  to  speak,  a  bustling  in  the  crowd,  and  a  loud  hem, 
drew  all  eyes  to  another  part  of  the  room. 

Benjamin  had  succeeded  in  edging  his  way  through  the  people, 
and  was  now  seen  balancing  his  short  body,  with  one  foot  in  a 
•window  and  the  other  on  the  railing  of  the  jury-box.  To  the 
amazement  of  the  whole  court>  the  steward  was  evidently  pre- 
paring to  speak.  After  a  good  deal  of  difficulty,  he  succeeded 
in  drawing  from  his  pocket  a  small  bag,  and  then  found  utter- 
ance. 

"If  so  be,"  he  said,  "that  your  honour  is  agreeable  to  trust 
tne  poor  fellow  out  on  another  cruise  among  the  beasts,  here's  a 
small  matter  that  will  help  to  bring  down  the  risk,  seeing  that 
there's  just  thirty-five  of  your  Spaniards  in  it ;  and  I  wish,  from 
the  bottom  of  my  heart,  that  they  was  raal  British  guineas,  for 
the  sake  of  the  old  boy.  But  'tis  as  it  is  ;  and  if  Squire  Dickens 
will  just  be  so  good  as  to  overhaul  this  small  bit  of  an  account, 
and  take  enough  from  the  bag  to  settle  the  same,  he's  welcome 
to  hold  on  upon  the  rest,  till  such  time  as  the  Leather-stocking 
can  grapple  with  them  said  beaver,  or,  for  that  matter,  for  ever, 
and  no  thanks  asked." 

As  Benjamin  concluded,  he  thrust  out  the  wooden  register  of 
his  arrears  to  the  "Bold  Dragoon"  with  one  hand,  while  he 
offered  his  bag  of  dollars  with  the  other.  Astonishment  at  this 
singular  interruption  produced  a  profound  stillness  in  the  room, 
which  was  only  interrupted  by  the  Sheriff,  who  struck  his  sword 
on  the  table,  and  cried, — 

"Silence!" 

"There  must  be  an  end  to  this,"  said  the  Judge,  struggling  to 


PIOMEER8. 

overcome  his  feelings.      *  Constable,  lead  the  prisoner  to  tht 
stocks.    Mr.  Clerk,  what  stands  ne?t  on  the  calendar  ? 

Natty  seemed  to  yield  to  his  destiny,  for  he  sunk  his  head  on 
his  chest,  and  followed  the  officer  from  the  court-room  in  silence. 
The  crowd  moved  back  for  the  passage  of  the  prisoner,  and  when 
hie  tall  form  was  seen  descending  from  the  puter  door,  a  rush  of 
the  people  to  the  scene  of  his  disgrace  followed. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Ha  I  ha  1  look !  he  wears  cruel  garters  1— lean 

punishments  of  the  common  law  were  still  known  at  the 
timo  of  our  tale  to  the  people  of  New  York  ;  and  the  whipping- 
with  its  companion  the  stocks,  were  not  yet  supplanted  by 
tiifj  more  merciful  expedients  of  the  public  prisons.  Immediately 
in  front  of  the  gaol  those  relics  of  the  elder  times  were  situated, 
as  a  lesson  of  precautionary  justice  to  the  evil-doers  of  the,  settle- 
ment. 

Natty  followed  the  constables  to  this  spot,  bowing  his  head 
with  submission  to  a  power  that  he  wa&  unable  to  oppose, 
and  surrounded  by  the  crowd  that  formed  a  circle  about  his 
person,  exhibiting  in  their  countenances  strong  curiosity.  A  con- 
btable  raised  the  upper  part  of  the  stocks,  and  pointed  with  his 
finger  to  the  holes  where  the  old  man  was  to  place  his  feet. 
Without  making  the  least  objection  to  the  punishment,  the 
Leather  -  stocking  quietly  seated  himself  on  the  ground,  and 
suffered  his  limbs  to  be  laid  in  the  openings  without  even  a 
murmur  ;  though  he  cast  one  glance  about  him,  in  quest  of  that 
sympathy  that  human  nature  always  seems  to  require  under 
suffering.  If  he  met  no  direct  manifestations  of  pity,  neither  did 
he  see  any  \tnfeeling  exultation,  or  hear  a  single  reproachful 
epithet.  The  character  of  the  mob,  if  it  could  be  called  by  such 
a  name,  was  that  of  attentive  subordination. 
.  The  constable  was  in  the  act  of  lowering  the  upper  plank4 
when  Benjamin,  who  had  pressed  close  to  the  eide  of  the  prisoner, 
said  in  his  hoarse  tones,  as  if  seeking  for  some  cause  to  create  a 
quarrel, — 

"  Where  away,  master  constable,  is  the  use  of  clapping  a  man 
••'.:  them  here  bilboes?  it  neither  stops  his  grog  nor  hurts  his 
back  ;  what  for  is  it  that  you  dp  the  thing  1 " 

i('Tis  the  sentence  of  the  court,  Mr.  Penguillum,  and  there's 
bw  for  it,  I  s'pose." 

"  Ay,  ay,  I  know  that  there's  law  for  the  thing  ;  but  where 
away  do  you  find  the  use,  I  say  ?  it  does  no  harm,  and  it  only 
keeps  a  man  by  the  heels  for  the  small  matter  of  two  glasses." 

"Is  it  no  harm,  Benny  Pump,"  said  Natty,  raising  his  e}ca 

818 


314  TEE  PIONEERS. 

with  a  piteous  look  to  the  face  of  the  steward — "  is  it,  no  harm  to 
show  off  a  man  in  his  seventy-first  year,  like  a  tame  bear,  for  the 
settlers  to  look  on  1  Is  it  no  harm  to  put  an  old  soldier,  that 
has  sarved  through  the  war  of  'fifty-six,  and  seen  the  inimy  in 
the  'seventy-six  business,  into  a  place  liie  this,  where  the  boys 
can  point  at  him  and  say,  I  have  known  the  time  when  he  was  a 
spectacle  for  the  country  I  Is  it  no  harm  to  bring  down  the 
pride  of  an  honest  man  to  be  the  equal  of  the  beasts  of  the 
forests  1 " 

Benjamin  stared  about  him  fiercely,  and  could  he  have  found 
a  single  face  that  expressed  contumely,  he  would  have  been 
prompt  to  quarrel  with  its  owner  ;  but  meeting  everywhere 
with  looks  of  sobriety,  and  occasionally  of  ctmmiseration,  he 
very  deliberately  seated  himself  by  the  side  of  the  hunter,  and 
placing  his  legs  in  the  two  vacant  holes  of  the  stocks,  he 
said, — 

"  Now  lower  away,  master  constable,  lower  away,  I  tell  ya  1 
If  so  be  there's  such  a  thing  hereabouts  as  a  man  that  wants  to 
eee  a  bear,  let  him  look  and  be  d — d,  and  he  shall  find  two  of 
them,  and  mayhap-  one  of  the  same  that  can  bite  as  well  as 
growl." 

"  But  I  have  uo  orders  to  put  you  in  the  stocks,  Mr.  Pump," 
cried  the  constable  ;  "  you  must  get  up,  and  let  me  do  my 
duty." 

"  You've  my  orders,  and  what  do  you  need  better  to  meddle 
with  m'y  own  feet  ?  so  lower  away,  will  ye,  and  let  me  see  the 
man  that  chooses  to  open  his  mouth  with  a  grin  on  it" 

"  There  can't  be  any  harm  in  locking  up  a  creater  that  will 
enter  the  pound,"  said  the  constable,  laughing,  and  closing  the 
stocks  on  them  both. 

It  was  fortunate  that  this  act  was  executed  with  decision,  for 
the  whole  of  the  spectators,  when  they  saw  Benjamin  assume  the 
position  he  took,  felt  an  inclination  for  merriment,  which  few 
thought  it  worth  while  to  suppress.  The  steward  struggled 
violently  for  his  liberty  again,  with  an  evident  intention  of 
making  battle  on  those  who  stood  nearest  to  him  :  but  the  key 
was  already  turned,  and  all  his  efforts  were  vain. 

"  Hark  ye,  master  constable,"  he  cried,  "just  clear  away  your 
bilboes  for  the  small  matter  of  a  log-glass,  will  ye,  and  let  me 
ahow  some  of  them  there  chaps  who  it  is  that  they  are  so  merry 
about" 

"  No,  no,  you  would  go  in,  and  you  can't  come  out,"  returned 
the  officer,  "  unfil  the  time  has  expired  that  the  Judge  directed 
for  the  keeping  of  the  prisoner." 

Benjamin  finding  that  his  threats  and  his  struggles  were 
useless,  had  good  sense  enough  to  learn  patience  from  the 
resigned  manner  of  his  companion,  and  soon  settled  himself. 


THE  PIONEERS.  >16 

down  by  the  side  of  Natty,  with  a  contemptuoasnea  expressed 
in  his  hard  features,  that  showed  he  had  substituted  disgust  for 
rage.  When  the  violence  of  the  steward's  feelings  had  in"  some 
measure  subsided,  he  turned  to  his  fellow-sufferer,  and,  with  a 
motive  that  might  have  vindicated  a  worse  effusion,  he  attempted 
the  charitable  office  of  consolation. 

"  Takin  it  by  and  large,  Master  Bump-ho,  'tia  but  a  email 
matter  after  all."  he  said.  "  Now,  I've  known  very  good  sort  of 
men,  aboard  of  the  Boadishey,  laid  by  the  heels,  for  nothing, 
mayhap,  but  forgetting  that  they'd  drunk  their  allowance  already, 

h  n  a  glass  of  grog  has  come  in  their  way.  This  is  nothing 
raore  than  riding  witn  two  anchors  ahead,  waiting  for  a  turn  in 
uie  tide,  or  a  shift  of  wind,  d'ye  see,  with  a  soft  bottom  and 
plenty  of  room  for  the  sweep  of  your  hawse.  Now  Fve  seen 
many  a  man,  for  over-shooting  his  reckoning,  as  I  told  ye, 
moored  head  and  starn,  where  he  couldn't  so  much  as  heave  hit 
broadside  round,  and  mayhap  a  stopper  clapt  on  his  tongue  too, 
iu  the  shape  of  a  pump-bolt  lashed  athwartehip  his  jaws,  all  the 
eame  as  an  outrigger  alongside  of  a  taffrel-rail. 

The  hunter  appeared  to  appreciate  the  kind  intentions  of  the 
other,  though  he  could  not  understand  his  eloquence ;  and 
raising  his  humbled  countenance,  he  attempted  a  smile,  aa  he 
said, — 

"  Anan  ! " 

"  'Tis  nothing  I  say,  but  a  small  matter  of  a  squall  that  will 
soon  blow  over,  continued  Benjamin.  "  To  you  that  has  such  a 
length  of  keel,  it  must  be  all  toe  same  as  nothing ;  tho'f,  seeing 
that  I'm  a  little  short  in  my  lower  timbers,  they've  triced  my 
heels  ub  in  such  a  way  as  to  give  me  a  bit  01  a  cant.  But  what 
cares  I,  Master  Bump-no,  if  the  ship  strains  a  little  at  her  anchor; 
it's  only  for  a  dog-watch,  and  dam'me  but  shell  sail  with  you 
then  on  that  cruise  after  them  said  beaver.  I'm  not  much 
used  to' small  arms,  seeing  that  I  was  stationed  at  the  ammunition 
boxes,  being  sum'mat  too  low-rigged  to  see  over  the  hammock- 


n  short  cruise  after  all.  I've  squared  the  yards  with  Squire 
Dickens  this  morning,  and  I  snail  send  him  word  that  h« 
needn't  bear  my  name  on  the  books  again  till  such  time  as  th» 
cruise  is  over." 

"  You're  used  to  dwell  with  men,  Benny,"  said  Leather-stock- 
ing mournfully,  "  and  the  ways  of  the  woods  would  be  hard  on 
you,  if"— 

"  Not  a  bit — not  a  bit>"  cried  the  steward  ;  "  I'm  none  of  youi 
fair-weather  chaps,  Master  Bump-ho,  as  sails  only  in  smooth 
water.-  When  I  find  a  friend,  I  sticks  by  him,  d'ye  see.  Now, 


318  THE  PIONEERS. 

there's  no  better  man  agoing  than  Squire  Dickens,  and  I  love 
him  about  the  same  as  I  loves  Mistress  Hollister's  new  keg  of 
Jamaiky."  The  steward  paused,  and  turning  his  uncouth  visage 
on  the  hunter,  he  surveyed  him  with  a  roguish  leer  of  his  eye, 
and  gradually  suffered  the  muscles  of  his  hard  features  to  relax, 
until  his  face  was  illuminated  by  the  display  of  his  white  teeth, 
when  he  dropped  his  voice,  and  added, — "  I  say,  Master  Leather- 
stocking,  'tis  fresher  and  livelier  than  any  Hollands  you'll,  get  in 
Garnsey.  But  we'll  send  a  hand  over  and  ask  the  woman  for  a 
taste,  for  I'm  so  jamb'd  in  these  here  bilboes,  that  I  begin  to 
want  sum'mat  to  lighten  my  upper  works." 

Natty  sighed,  and  payed  about  him  on  the  crowd,  that  already 
began  to  disperse,  and  which  had  now  diminished  greatly,  as  its 
members  scattered  in  their  various  pursuits.  He  looked  wistfully 
at  Benjamin,  but  did  not  reply  ;  a  deeply  seated  anxiety  seeming 
to  absorb  every  other  sensation,  and  to  throw  a  melancholy  gloom 
over  his  wrinkled  features,  which  were  working  with  the  move- 
ments of  his.  mind. 

The  steward  was  about  to  act  on  the  old  principle,  that  silence 
gives  consent,  when  Hiram  Doolittle,  attended  by  Jotham,  stalked 
out  of  the  crowd,  across  the  open  space,  and  approached  the 
stocks.  The  magistrate  passed  by  the  end  where  Benjamin  was 
seated,  and  posted  himself  at  a  pafc  distance  from  the  steward,  in 
front  of  the  Leather-stocking.  Hiram  stood  for  a  moment  cower- 
ing before  the  keen  looks  that  Natty  fastened  on  him,  and  suffer- 
ing under  an  embarrassment  that  was  quite  new  ;  when,  having 
in  some  degree  recovered  himself,  he  looked  at  the  heavens,  ana 
then  at  the  smoky  atmosphere,  as  if  it  were  only  an  ordinary 
meeting  with  a  friend,  and  said,  in  his  formal,  hesitating  way, — 

"  Quite  a  scurcity  of  rain  lately  ;  I  some  think  we  shall  have  a 
long  drought  on't," 

Benjamin  was  occupied  in  untying  his  bag  of  dollars,  and  did 
not  observe  the  approach  of  the  magistrate,  while  Natty  turned 
his  face,  in  which  every  muscle  was  working,  away  from  him  in 
disgust,  without  answering.  Rather  encouraged  than  daunted 
by  this  exhibition  of  dislike,  Hiram  after  a  short  pause  con 
tinned, — 

"  The  clouds  look  as  if  they'd  no  water  in  them,  and  the  earth 
is  dreadfully  parched.  To  my  judgment  there'll  be  short  crops 
this  season,  'if  the  rain  doesn't  fall  quite  speedily." 

The  air  with  which  Mr.  Doolittle  delivered  this  prophetical 
opinion  was  peculiar  to  his  species.  It  was  a  Jesuitical,  cold, 
unfeeling,  and  selfish  manner,  that  seemed  to  say,  "  I  have  kept 
within  the  law,"  to  the  man  lie"  had  so  c.uelly  injured.  If 
^uite  overcame  the  restraint  that  the  old  huntsr  had  been  labour 
ing  to  impose  on 'himself,  and  he  burst  out  in  a  warm  glaw  oi 
indignation. 


THE  PlONEEKti.  317 


!<  Why  should  the  raiu  fall  from  the  clouds,"  he  cried, 
you  force  the  tears  from  the  eyes  of  the  old,  the  sick,  and  the 
poor  !  Away  with  ye  —  away  with  ye  !  you  may  he  formed  in 
the  image  of  the  Maker,  but  Satan  dwells  in  your  heart.  Away 
with  ye,  I  say  !  I  am  mournful,  and  the  sight  of  ye  brings  bittei 
thoughts." 

Benjamin  ceased  thumbing  his  money,  and  raised  his  head,  at 
the  instant  that  Hiram,  who  was  thrown  off  his  guard  by  the 
invectives  of  the  hunter,  unluckily  trusted  his  person  within 
reach  of  the  steward,  who  grasped  one  of  his  legs,  with  a  hand 
that  had  the  grip  of  a  vice,  and  whirled  the  magistrate  from  his 
feet,  before  he  had  either  time  to  collect  his  senses,  or  to  exercise 
the  strength  he  did  really  possess.  Benjamin  wanted  neither 
proportions  nor  manhood  in  his  head,  shoulders,  and  arms, 
though  all  the  rest  of  his  frame  appeared  to  be  originally  in- 
tended for  a  very  different  sort  01  a  mam.  He  exerted  his 
physical  powers  on  the  present  occasion,  with  much  discretion  ; 
and  as  he  had  taken  his  antagonist  at  a  great  disadvantage,  the 
struggle  resulted,  very  soon,  in  Benjamin  getting  the  magistrate 
fixed  in  a  posture  somewhat  similar  to  his  own,  and  manfully 
placed  face  to  face. 

"You're  a  ship's  cousin,  I  tell  ye,  Master  Doo-but-little," 
roared  the  steward  ;  "some  such  matter  as  a  ship's  cousin,  sir. 
I  know  you,  I  do,  with  your  fair-weather  speeches  to  Squire 
Dickens,  to  his  face,  and  then  you  go  and  sarve  out  your  grum- 
bling to  all  the  old  women  in  the  town,  do  ye.  An  t  it  enough 
for  any  Christian,  let  him  harbour  never  so  much  malice,  to  get 
an  honest  old  fellow  laid  by  the  heels  in  this  fashion,  without 
carrying  sail  so  hard  on  the  poor  dog,  as  if  you  would  run  him 
down  as  he  lay  at  his  anchors  ?  But  I've  logged  many  a  hard 
thing  against  your  name,  master,  and  now  the  time's  come  to 
foot  up  the  day's  work,  d'ye  we  ;  so  square  yourself,  you  lubber, 
square  yourself,  and  we'll  soon  know  who's  the  better  man." 

"Jotnam!"  cried  the  frightened  magistrate  —  "Jotham  !  call  in 
the  constables.  Mr.  Penguillium,  I  command  the  peace  —  I  order 
you  to  keep  the  peace." 

"  There's  been  more  peace  than  lo^  atwixt  us,  master,"  cried 
the  steward,  making  some  very  unequivocal  demonstration* 
towards  hostility  ;  "  so  mind  yourself  !  square  yourself,  I  say  !  do 
you  smell  this  here  bit  of  a  sledge-ham  mer  7  " 

"  Lay  hands  on  me  if  you  dare  !  "  exclaimed  Hiram,  as  veil  as 
he  could  under  the  grasp  which  the  steward  held  on  his  throttle 
—  V  lay  hands  on  me  if  you  dare  1  " 

"  If  ye  call  this  laying,  master,  you  are  welcome  to  the  eggs," 
roared  the  steward. 

It  becomes  our  disagreeable  duty  to  record  here  that  the  acts  of 
Benjamin  now  became  violent  ;  for  he  darted  his  sledge-haiaiaer 


110  ~THE  PtO 

violently  on  the  anvil  of  Mr.  Doolittle's  countenance,  and  the 
place  became,  in  an  instant,  a  scene  of  tumult  and  confusion. 
The  crowd  rushed  in  a  dense  circle  around  the  spot,  while  some 
ran  to  the  court-room  to  give  the  alarm,  and  one  or  two  of  the 
more  juvenile  part  of  the  multitude  had  a  desperate  trial  of  speed, 
to  sec  who  should  be  the  happy  man  to  communicate  the  critical 
situation  of  the  magistrate  to  his  wife. 

Benjamin  worked  away  with  great  industry  and  a  good  deal  of 
skill  at  his  occupation,  using  one  hand  to  raise  up  his  antagonist, 
while  he  knocked  him  over  with  the  other  ;  for  he  would  have 
been  disgraced  in  his  own  estimation  had  he  struck  a  blow  on  a 
fallen  adversary.  By  this  considerate  arrangement  he  had  found 
means  to  hammer  the  visage  of  Hiram  out  of  all  shape,  by  the 
time  Kichard  succeeded  in  forcing  his  way  through  the  throng 
to  the  point  of  combat.  .The  Sheriff  afterward  declared  that, 
independently  of  his  mortification,  as  preserver  of  the  peace  of 
the  county,  at  this  interruption  to  its  harmony,  he  was  never  so 
grieved  in  his  life,  as  when  he  saw  this  breach  of  unity  between 
nis  favourites.  Hiram  had  in  some  degree  become  necessary  to 
his  vanity,  and  Benjamin,  strange  as  it  may  appear,  he  really 
loved.  '  This  attachment  was  exhibited  in  the  first  words  that  he 
[uttered. 

"  Squire  Doolittle  !  Squire  Doolittle  t  I  am  ashamed  to  see  a 
Jman  of  your  character  and  office  forget  himself  eo  much  as  to 
disturb  the  peace,  insult  the  court,  and  beat  poor  Benjamin  in 
this  manner  1" 

At  the  sound  of  Mr.  Jones's  voice,  the  steward  ceased  his 
employment,  and  Hiram  had  an  opportunity  of  raising  his 
discomfited  visage  towards  the  mediator.  Emboldened  by  the 
•eight  of  the  Sheriff,  Mr.  Doolittle  again  had  recourse  to  his 
lungs. 

"Ill  have  the  law  on  you  for  this,"  he  cried  desperately  ;  " Til 
have  the  law  on  you  for  this.  I  call  on  you,  Mr.  Sheriff,  to  seize 
this  man,  and  I  demand  that  you  take  his  body  into  custody." 

By  this  time  Richard  was  master  of  the  true  state  of  the  case, 
and,  turning  to  the  steward,  he  said  reproachfully, — 

"  Benjamin,  how  came  you  in  the  stocks  ?  I  always  thought' 
you  were  mild  and  docile  as  a  lamb.  It  was  for  your  docility 
that  I  most  esteemed  you.  Benjamin  1  Benjamin  1  you  have  not 
only  disgraced  yourself,  but  your  friends,  by  this  shameless 
conduct.  Bless  me  !  bless  me  !  Mr.  Doolittle,  he  seems  to  have 
knocked  your  face  all  of  one  side." 

Hiram  by  this  time  had  got  on  his  feet  again,  and  without  the 
Jreach  of  the  steward,  when  he  broke  forth  in  violent  appeals  for 
vengeance.  The  offence  was  too  apparent  to  be  passed  over,  and 
the  Sheriff,  mindful  of  the  impartiality  exhibited  by  his  cousin 
in  the  recent  trial  of  the  Leather-stocking,  came  to  the  painful 


THE  PIONEERS.  '  319 

conclusion  that  it  was  necessary  to  commit  his  major-doino  to 
prison.  As  the  time  of  Natty'a  punishment  was  expired,  and 
Benjamin  found  that  they  were  to  be  confined,  for  that  night  at 
least,  in  the  same  apartment,  he  made  no  very  strong  objections 
to  the  measure,  nor  spoke  of  bail,  though,  as  the  Sheriff  preceded 
the  party  of  constables  that  conducted  them  to  the  gaol,  he 
uttered  the  following  remonstrance  : — 

"  As  to  being  berthed  with  Master  Bump-ho  for  a  night  or  so, 
it's  but  little  I  think  of  it,  Squire  Dickens,  seeing  that  I  calls  him 
an  honest  man,  and  one  as  has  a  handy  way  with  boat-hooks  and 
rifles  j  but  as  for  owning  that  a  man  desarves  anything  worse 
than  a  double  allowance  for  -knocking  that  carpenter's  face 
a-one-side,  as  you  call  it,  I'll  maintain  it's  ag"in  reason  and 
Christianity.  If  there's  a  blood-sucker  in  this  'ere  county,  it's 
that  very  chap.  Ay  !  I  know  him  !  and  if  he  hasn't  got  all  the 
same  as  dead  wood  in  his  head-works,  he  knows  sum'mat  of  me. 
Where's  the  mighty  harm,  Squire,  that  you  take  it  so  much  to 
heart?  It's  all  the  same  as  any  other  battle,  d'ye  see,  sir,  being 
broadside  to  broadside,  only  that  it  was  fou't  dt  anchor,  which  was 
what  we  did  in  Port  Praya  roads,  when  SufFring  came  in  among 
us  ;  and  a  suffring  time  he  had  of  it  before  he  got  out  again." 

Richard  thought  it  unworthy  of  him  to  make  any  reply  to  this 
speech ;  but  when  his  prisoners  were  safely  lodged  in  an  outer 
dungeon,  ordering  the  bolts  to  be  drawn  and  the  key  turned,  he 
withdrew. 

Benjamin  held  frequent  and  friendly  dialogues  with  different 
people,  through  the  iron  gratings,  during  the  afternoon  ;  but  his 
companion  paced  their  narrow  limits,  in  his  mocassins,  with 
quick,  impatient  treads,  his  face  hanging  on  his  breast  in 
dejection,  or  when  lifted,  at  moments,  to  the  idlers  at  the 
window,  lighted,  perhaps,  for  an  instant,  with  the  childish  aspect 
of  aged  forgetfulness,  which  would  vanish  directly  in  an  expression 
of  deep  and  obvious  anxiety. 

At  the  close  of  the  day,  Edwards  was  seen  at  the  window,  in 
earnest  dialogue  with  his  friend ;  and  after  he  departed,  it  was 
thought  that  he  had  communicated  words  of  comfort  to  the 
hnnter,  who  threw  himself  on  his  pallet,  and  was  soon  in  a  deep 
sleep.  The  curious  spectators  had  exhausted  the  conversation  of 
the  steward,  who  had  drunk  good  fellowship  with  half  of  his 
acquaintance ;  and  as  Natty  was  no  longer  in  motion,  by  eight 
•o'clock,  Billy  Kirby,  who  was  the  last  lounger  at  the  window, 
retired  into  the  "  Templetown  Coffee-house,"  when  Natty  rose  and 
hung  a  blanket  before  the  opening,  and  the  prisoners  apparently 
retired  for  the  night. 


CHAPTER   XXXV 

And  to  avoid  the  foe's  pursuit, 

With  spurring  put  their  cattle  to't : 

And  till  all  four  were  out  of  wind, 

And  danger  too,  ne'er  look'd  behind.  Hudibrvu. 

As  the  shades  of  evening  approached,  the  jurors,  witnesses,  and 
other  attendants  on  the  court  began  to  disperse,  and  before  ninej 
o'clock  the  village  was  quiet,  and  its  streets  nearly  deserted.  At' 
that  hour  Judge  Temple  and  his  daughter,  followed  at  a  short 
distance  by  Louisa  Grant,  walked  slowly  down  the  avenue,  under 
the  slight  shadows  of  the  young  poplars,  holding  the  following 
discourse  : — 

"You  can  best  soothe  his  wounded  spirit,  my  child,"  said 
Marmaduke  ;  "but  it  will  be  dangerous  to  touch  on  the  nature  oi 
his  offence  ;  the  sanctity  of  the  laws  must  be  respected." 

"  Surely,  sir,"  cried  the  impatient  Elizabeth,  "  those  laws  that 
condemn  a  man  like  the  Leather-stocking  to  so  severe  a  punish- 
ment, for  an  offence  that  even  I  must  think  very  venial,  cannot 
be  perfect  in  themselves." 

"  Thou  talkest  of  what  thou  dost  not  understand,  Elizabeth," 
returned  her  father.  "  Society  cannot  exist  without  wholesome 
restraints.  Those  restraints  cannot  be  inflicted  without  security 
and  respect  to  the  persons  of  those  who  administer  them  ;  and  it 
would  sound  ill  indeed  to  report,  that  a  judge  had  extended 
favour  to  a  convicted  criminal  because  he  had  saved  the  life  oi 
his  child." 

"  I  see — I  see  the  difficulty  of  your  situation,  dear  sir."  criec! 
the  daughter  ;  "  but  in  appreciating  the  offence  of  poor  Natty,  i 
cannot  separate  the  minister  of  the  law  from  the  man." 

"  There  thou  talkest  as  a  woman,  child  ;  it  is  not  for  an  assault 
on  Hiram  Doolittle,  but  for  threatening  the  life  of  a  constable, 
who  was  in  the  performance  of" — 

"  It  is  immaterial  whether  it  be  one  or  the  other,"  interrupted 
Miss  Temple,  with  a  logic  that  contained  more  feeling  than 
reason  ;  "  I  know  Natty  to  be  innocent,  and,  thinking  so,  I  must 
think  all  wrong  who  oppress  him." 

"His  judge  among  the  number  !  thy  father,  Elizabeth  1" 

IM 


THE  PIONEERS.  321 

"  Nay,  nay,  nay  ;  do  not  put  such  questions  to  me ;  give  me 
my  commission,  father,  and  let  me  proceed  to  execute"  it." 

The  Judge  paused  a  moment,  smiling  fondly  on  his  child,  and 
then  dropped  his  hand  affectionately  on  her  shoulder,  as  he 
answered, — 

"  Thou  hast  reason,  Bess,  and  much  of  it  too,. but  thy  heart  lies 
too  near  thy  head.  But  listen :  in  this  pocket-book  are  two 
hundred  dollars.  Go  to  the  prison — there  are  none  in  this  place 
to  harm  thee — give  this  note  to  the  gaoler,  and  v»hen  thou  si'cr-t 
Burappo,  say  what  thou  wilt  to  the  poor  old  man  ;  give  scope  tc 
the  feelings  of  thy  warm  heart  ;  but  try  to  remember,  Elizabeth, 
that  the  laws  alone  remove  us  from  the  condition  of  the 
savages  ;  that  he  has  been  criminal,  and  that  his  judge  was  thy 
father." 

Miss  Temple  made  no  reply,  but  she  pressed  the  hand  that 
held  the  pocket-book  to  her  bosom,  and  talcing  her  friend  by  the 
arm,  they  issued  together  from  the  enclosure  into  the  principal 
street  of  the  village. 

As  they  pursued  their  walk  in  silence,  under  the  row  of 
houses,  where  the  deeper  gloom  of  the  evening  effectually  con- 
cealed their  persons,  no  sound  reached  them,  excepting  the  slow 
tread  of  a  yoke  of  oxen,  with  the  rattling  of  a  cart,  that  were 
moving  along  the  street  in  the  same  direction  with  themselves. 
The  figure  of  the  teamster  was  just  discernible  by  the  dim  light, 
lounging  by  the  side  of  his  cattle  with  a  listless  air,  as  if  fatigued, 
by  the  toil  of  the  day.  At  the  corner,  where  the  gaol  stood,  the 
progress  of  the  ladies  was  impeded  for  a  moment  by  the  oxen, 
who  were  turned  up  to  the  side  of  the  building,  and  given  a  lock 
of  hay,  which  they  had  carried  on  their  necks,  as  a  reward  for 
their  patient  labour.  The  whole  of  this  was  so  natural,  and  so 
common,  that  Elizabeth  saw  nothing  to  induce  a  second  glance  at 
the  team,  until  she  heard  the  toamster  speaking  to  his  cattle  in  a 
low  voice : — 

"  Mind  yourself,  Brindle  ;  will  you,  sir  !  will  you ! " 

The  language  itself  was  unusual  to  oxen,  with  which  all  who 
dwell  in  a  new  country  are  familiar  ;  but  there  was  something  in 
the  voice,  also,  that  startled  Miss  Temple.  On  turning  the  corner 
she  necessarily  approached  the  man,  and  her  look  was  enabled  to 
detect  the  person  of  Oliver  Edwards,  concealed  under  the  coarse 
garb  of  a  teamster.  Their  eyes  met  at  the  same  instant,  and, 
notwithstanding  the  gloom,  and  the  enveloping  cloak  of  Elizabeth, 
the  recognition  was  mutual. 

"Miss  Temple!"  "Mr.  Edwards  I"  were  exclaimed  simul- 
taneously, though  a  feeling  that  seemed  common  to  both  rendered 
the  words  nearly  inaudible. 

"  la  it  possible  1 "  exclaimed  Edwards,  after  the  moment  of 
doubt  had  passed  ;  "  do  I  see  you  so  nigh  the  gaol !  but  you  are 


322  THE  PIONEERS. 

going  to  the  Rectory  ;  I  beg  pardon,  Miss  Grant,  I  believe  ;  1  did 
not  recognise  you  at  first" 

The  sigh  which  Louisa  uttered  was  so  faint,  that  it  was  only- 
heard  by  Elizabeth,  who  replied  quickly, — 

"  We  are  going  not  only  to  the  gaol,  Mr.  Edwards,  but  into  it 
We  wish  to  show  the  Leathers-stocking  that  we  do  not  forget  his 
services,  and  that  at  the  same  time  we  must  be  just,  we  are  also 
grateful.  I  suppose  you  are  on  a  similar  errand  ;  but  le£  me  beg 
that  you  will  give  us  leave  to  precede  you  ten  minutes.  Good 
night,  sir ;  I — I— 'am  quite  sorry,  Mr.  Edwards,  to  see  you 
reduced  to  such  labour  ;  I  am  sure  my  father  would  " — 

"  I  shall  wait  your  pleasure,  madam,"  interrupted  the  youth 
coldly.  "  May  I  beg  that  you  will  not  mention  my  being 
here  ? !; 

"Certainly,"  said  Elizabeth,  returning  his  bow  by  a  elight 
inclination  of  her  head,  and  urging  the  tardy  Louisa  forward. 
As  they  entered  the  gaoler's  house,  however,  Miss  Grant  found 
leisure  to  whisper, — 

"  Would  it  not  be  well  to  offer  part  of  your  money  to  Oliver  ? 
half  of  it  will  pay  the-  fine  of  Bumppo  ;  and  he  is  eo  unused  to 
hardships  !  I  am  sure  my  father  wuf  subscribe  much  of  his  little 
pittance,  to  place  him  in  a  station  that  is  more  worthy  of  him." 

The  involuntary  smile  thai,  passed  over  the  features  of 
Elizabeth  was  blended  with  an  expression  of  deep  and  heart- 
felt pity.  She  did  not  reply,  however,  and  the  appearance  of 
the  gaoler  soon  recalled  the  thoughts  of  both  to  the  object  of 
their  visit 

The  rescue  of  the  ladies,  and  their  consequent  interest  in  his 
prisoner,  together  with  the  informal  manners  that  prevailed  in 
the  country,  all  united  to  prevent  any  surprise,  on  the  part  of 
the  gaoler,  at  their  request  for  admission  to  Burappo.  The  note 
of  Judge  Temple,  however,  would  have  silenced  all  objections,  if 
he  had  felt  them,  and  he  led  the  way  without  hesitation  to  the 
apartment  that  held  the  prisoners.  The  instant  the  key  waa 
put  into  the  lock,  the  hoarse  voice  of  Benjamin  was  heard 
demanding, — 

"  Yo  1  hoy  1  who  comes  there  2 " 

"  Some  visitors  that  you'll  be  glad  to  see,"  returned  the  gaoler 
"  What  have  you  done  to  the  lock  that  it  won't  turn  ? " 

"  Handsomely,  handsomely,  master,"  cried  the  steward  ;  "  I 
have  just  drove  a  nail  into  a  berth  alongside  of  this  here  bolt,  aa 
a  stopper,  d'ye  see,  eo  that  master  Doo-but-little  can't  be  running 
in  and  breezing  up  another  fight  atwixt  us  ;  for,  to  my  accoutft, 
there'll  be  but  a  ban-yan  with  mo  soon,  seeing  that  they'll  mulct 
me  of  my  Spaniards,  all  the  same  as  if  I'd  over-flogged  the  lubber. 
Throw  your  ship  into  the  wind,  and  lay  by  for  a  email  matter. 
will  ye  [  and  III  soon  clear  a  passage." 


THE  PIOXLERS.  323 

The  sounds  of  hammering  gave  an  assurance  that  the  steward 
was  in  earnest,  and  in  a  short  tune  the  lock  yielded,  when  the 
door  was  opened. 

Benjamin  had  evidently  been  anticipating  the  seizure  of  his 
money,  for  he  had  made  frequent  demands  on  the  "avourite  cask 
at  the  "Bold  Dragoon"  during  the  afternoon  and  evening,  and 
was  now  in  that  state  which  by  marine  imagery  is  called  "half- 
seas-over."  It  was  no  easy  thing  to  destroy  the  balance  of  the 
old  tar  by  the  effects  of  liquor,  for,  as  he  expressed  it  himself, 
"he  was  too  low- rigged  not  to  carry  eail  in  all  weathers;"  but 
he  was  precisely  in  that  condition  which  is  so  expressively  termed 
"muddy."  When  he  perceived  who  the  visitors  were,  he  re- 
treated to  the  side  of  the  room  'there  his  pallet  lay,  and,  regard- 
less of  the  presence  of  his  young  mistress,  seated  himself  on  it 
with  an  air  of  great  sobriety,  placing  his  back  firmly  against 
the  wall. 

"If  you  undertake  to  spoil  my  locks  in  this  manner,  Mr. 
Pump,  said  the  gaoler,  "  I  shall  put  a  stopper,  as  you  call  it,  on 
your  legs,  and  tie  you  down  to  your  bed." 

"  What  for  should  ye,  master  ? "  grumbled  Benjamin  ;  "  I've 
rode  out  one  squall  to-day,  anchored  by  the  heels,  and  I  wants 
no  more  of  them.  Where's  the  harm  of  doing  all  the  same  as 
yourself  ?  Leave  that  there  door  free  outboard,  and  you'll  find 
no  locking  inboard,  I'll  promise  ye." 

"  I  must  shut  up  for  the  night  at  nine,"  said  the  gaoler,  "  and 
ifs  now  forty-two  minutes  past  eight."  He  placed  the  little 
candle  on  a  rough  pine- table,  and  withdrew. 

"  Leather-stocking  ! "  said  Elizabeth,  when  the  key  of  the  door 
was  turned  on  them  again,  "  my  good  friend  Leather-stocking  1 
I  have  coma  on  a  message  of  gratitude.  Had  you  submitted  to 
the  search,  worthy  old'  man,  the  death  of  the  deer  would  have 
been  a  trifle,  and  all  would  have"  been  well " — 

"  Submit  to  the  sarch  ! "  interrupted  Natty,  raising  his  face 
from  resting  on  his  knees,  without  rising  from  the  corner  where 
he  had  seated  himself ;  "  d'ye  think,  gal,  I  would  let  such  a  var- 
mint into  my  hut  ?  No,  no — I  wouldn't  have  opened  the  door 
to  your  own  fiweet  countenance  then.  But  they  are  wilcome  to 
sarch  among  the  coals  'and  ashes  now  ;  they'll  find  only  some 
such  heap  as  is  to  be  seen  at  every  pot-ashery  in  the  mountains." 
The  old  man  dropped  his  face  again  on  one  hand,  and  seemed 
to  be  lost  in  melancholy. 

"  The  hut  can  be  rebuilt,  and  made  better  than  before,""  re- 
turned Miss  Temple ;  "  and  it  shall  be  my  office  to  see  it  done, 
when  your  imprisonment  is  ended." 

"Can  ye  raise  the  dead,  child?"  said  Natty  in  a  sorrowful 
voice  ;  ft  can  ye  go  into  the  place  where  you've  laid  your  fathers, 
And  mothers,  and  children, .and  gather  together  their  ashes,  and 


324  .    THE  PIONEERS. 

make  the  same  men  and  women  of  them  as  afore  ?  You  do  net 
know  what  'tis  to  lay  your  head  for  more  than  forty  years  under 
the  cover  of  the  same  logs,  and  to  look  on  the  same  things  for 
the  better  part  of  a  man's  life.  You  are  young  yet,  child,  but 
you  are  one  of  the  most  precious  of  God's  creators.  I  had  a  hope 
for  ye  that  it  might  come  to  pass,  but  it's  all  over  now ;  this 
put  to  that,  will  drive  the  thing  quite  out  of  his  mind  for 
ever." 

Miss  Temple  must  have  understood  the  meaning  of  the  old 
man  better  than  the  other  listeners ;  for,  while  Louisa  stood 
innocently  by  her  side,  commiserating  the  griefs  of  the  hunter, 
she  bent  her  head  aside,  so  as  to  conceal  her  features.  The  action 
and  the  feeling  that  caused  it  lasted  but  a  moment. 

"  Other  logs,  and  better,  though,  can  be  had,  and  shall  be 
found  for  you,  my  old  defender,"  she  continued.  "  Your  confine- 
ment will  soon  be  over,  and,  before  that  time  arrives,  I  shall 
have  a  house  prepared  for  you,  where  you  may  spend  the  close  of 
your  harmless  life  in  ease  and  plenty." 

"  Ease  and  plenty  1  house  !  "  repeated  Natty  slowly.  "  You 
mean  well,  you  mean  well,  and  I  o^uite  mourn  that  it  cannot  be  ; 
but  he  has  seen  me  a  sight  and  a  laughing-stock  for  " — 

"Damn  your  stocks,"  said  Benjamin,  flourishing  his  bottle  with 
one  hand,  from  which  he  had  been  taking  hasty  and  repeated 
draughts,  while  he  made  gestures  of  disdain  with  the  other ; 
"  who  cares  for  his  bilboes  ?  there's  a  leg  that's  been  stuck  up  an 
end  like  a  gib-boom  for  an  hour,  d'ye  see,  and  what's  it  the  worse 
for't,  ha  !  canst  tell  me,  what's  it  the  worser,  ha  ! " 

"  I  believe  you  forget,  Mr.  Pump,  in  whose  presence  you  are," 
said  Elizabeth. 

"  Forget  you,  Miss  'Lizzy,"  returned  the  steward ;  "  if  I  do, 
dam'me  ;  you  are  not  to  be  forgot,  like  Goody  Pretty-bones,  up 
at  tfhe  big  house  there.  I  say,  old  sharp-shooter,  she  may  have 
pretty  bones,  but  I  can't  say  so  much  for  her  flesh,  d'ye  see,  for 
she  looks  somewhat  like  an  atomy  with  another  man's  jacket  on. 
Now,  for  the  skin  of  her  face,  its  all  the  same  as  a  new  top-sail 
with  a  taut  bolt  rope,  being  snug  at  the  leaches,  but  all  in  a 
bight  about  the  inner  cloths." 

"  Peace — 1  command  you  to  be  silent,  sir  ! "  said  Elizabeth. 

"Ay,  ay,  ma'am,"  returned  the  steward.  "You  didn't  say  I 
shouldn't  drink,  though." 

"  We  will  not  speak  of  what  is  to  become  of  others,"  said  Miss 
Temple,  turning  again  to  the  hunter — "  but  of  your  own  fortunes, 
Natty.  It  shall  be  my  care  to  see  that  you  pass  the  rest  of  your 
days  in  ease  and  plenty." 

"Ease  and  plenty  I"  again  repeated  the  Lea l/fier- stocking; 
"  what  ease  can  there  be  to  an  old  man,  who  must  walk  a  mile 
across  the  open  fields,  before  he  can  find  a  shade  to  hide  him 


THE  PIONEERS.  "326 

from  a  scorching  sun !  or  what  plenty  is  there  where  you  may 
hunt  a  day,  and  not  start  a  buck,  or  see  anything  bigger  than  a 
mink,  or  maybe  a  stray  fox !  Ah  I  I  shall  have  a  nard  time 
after  them  very  beavers,  for  this  fine.  I  must  go  low  toward 
the  Pennsyliany  line  in  sarch  of  the  creators,  maybe  a  hundred 
mile  ;  for  they  are  not  to  be  got  hereaway.  No,  no — your 
betterments  and  clearings  have  druv  the  knowing  things  out  of 
the  country  ;  and  instead  of  beaver-dams,  which  is  the  nater  of 
the  animal,  and  according  to  Providence,  you  turn  back  the 
waters  over  the  low  grounds  with  your  mill-dams  as  if  'twas  in 
man  to  stay  the  drops  from  going  where  He  wills  them  to  go. — 
Benny,  unless  you  stop  your  hand  from  going  so  often  to  your 
mouth,  you  won't  be  ready  to  start  when  the  time  comes." 

"  Hark'ee,  Master  Bump-ho,"  said  the  steward ;  "  don't  you 
fear  for  Ben.  When  the  watch  is  called,  set  me  on  my  legs,  and 
give  me  the  bearings  and  distance  of  where  you  want  to  steer 
and  I'll  carry  sail  with  the  best  of  you,  P  wilL" 

"  The  time  has  come  now,"  said  the  hunter,  listening  j  "  I  hear 
the  horns  of  the  oxen  rubbing  ag'in  the  side  of  the  gaoL" 

"  Well,  say  the  word,  and  then  heave  ahead,  shipmate,"  said 
Benjamin. 

"You  won't  betray  us,  gal?"  said  Natty,  looking  up  simply 
into  the  face  of  Elizabeth — "  you  won't  betray  an  old  man,  who 
craves  to  breathe  the  clear  air  of  heaven  ?  I  mean  no  harm ; 
and  if  the  law  says  that  I  must  pay  the  hundred  dollars,  I'll 
take  the  season  through,  but  it  shall  be  forthcoming ;  and  this 
good  man  will  help  me." 

"You  catch  them,"  said  Benjamin,  with  a  sweeping  gesture  of 
his  arm  ;  "  and  if  they  go  away  again,  call  me  a  slink,  that's  alL" 

"  But  what  mean  you  ? "  cried  the  wondering  Elizabeth.  "  Here 
you  must  stay  for  thirty  days ;  but  I  have  the  money  for  your 
line  in  this  purse.  Take  it ;  pay  it  in  the  morning,  and  summon 
patience  for  your  month.  I  will  come  often  to  see  you  with  my 
friend ;  we  will  make  up  your  clothes  with  our  own  hands ; 
indeed,  indeed,  you  shall  be  comfortable." 

"  Would  ye,  children  1 "  said  Natty,  advancing  across  the  floor 
with  an  air  of  kindness,  and  taking  the  hand  of  Elizabeth ; 
'•'  would  ye  be  so  kearful  of  an  old  man,  and  just  for  shooting 
the  beast  which  cost  him  nothing  ?  Such  things  doesn't  run  in 
the  blood,  I  believe,  for  you  seem  not  to  forget  a  favour.  Your 
little  fingers  couldn't  do  much  on  a  buck-skin,  nor  be  you  used 
toguch  a  thread  as  sinews.  But  if  he  hasn't  got  past  hearing,  he 
shall  hear  it  and  know  it,  that  he  may  see,  like  me,  there  is  some 
who  know  how  to  remember  a  kindness." 

"  Tell  him  nothing,"  cried  Elizabeth  earnestly ;  "  if  you  love 
me,  if  you  regard  my  feelings,  tell  him  nothing  It  is  of  your- 
self only  I  w^dd  talk,  and  for  yourself  only  I  act  I  grieve, 


r326  THE  PIONEERS. 

Leather-stocking,  that  the  law  requires  that  you  should  be 
detained  here  eo  long ;  but,  after  all,  it  will  be  only  a  short 
month,  and  " — 

"  A  month ! "  exclaimed  Natty,  opening  his  mouth  with  his 
usual  laugh ;  "  not  a  day,  nor  a  night,  nor  an  hour,  gal.  Judge 
Temple  may  sintence,  but  he  can't  keep  without  a  better  dungeon 
than  this.  I  was  taken  once  by  the  French,  and  they  put  sixty- 
two  of  us  in  a  block-house,  nigh  hand  to  old  Frontinac ;  but 
'twas  easy  to  cut  through  a  pine  log  to  them  that  was  used  to 
timber."  The  hunter  paused,  and  looked  cautiously  around  the 
room,  when,  laughing  again,  he  shoved  the  steward  gently  from 
his  post,  and  removing  the  bed-clothes,  discovered  a  hole  recently 
cut  in  the  logs  with  a  inallet  and  chisel.  "  It's  only  a  kick,  and 
the  outside  piece  is  off,  and  then  " — 

"  Off  1  ay,  off  I "  cried  Benjamin,  rousing  from  his  stupor  ; 
"  well,  here's  off.  Ay  !  ay  !  you  catch  'em,  and  I'll  hold  on  to 
them  said  beaver-hats." 

"I  fear  this  lad  will  trouble  me  much,"  said  Natty  ;  "'twill 
be  a  hard  pull  for  the  mountain,  should  they  take  the  scent 
soon,  and  he  is  not  in  a  state  of  mind  to  run." 

"  Bun  ! "  echoed  the  steward  ;  "  no,  sheer  alongside,  and  let's 
have  a  fight  of  it." 

"  Peace  I "  ordered  Elizabeth. 

"  Ay,  ay,  ma'am." 

"  You  will  not  leave  us,  surely,  Leather-stocking,"  continued 
Miss  Temple ;  "  I  beseech  you,  reflect  that  you  will  be  driven 
to  the  woods  entirely,  and  that  you  are  fast  getting  old.  Be 
patient  for  a  little  time,  when  you  can  go  abroad  openly,  and 
with  honour." 

"  Is  there  beaver  to  be  catched  here,  gal  ? " 

"  If  not,  here  is  money  to  discharge  the  fine,  and  in  a  month 
you  are  free.  See,  here  it  is  in  gold." 

"  Gold  ! "  said  Natty,  with  a  kind  of  childish  curiosity  ;  "  it's 
long  sin'  I've  seen  a  gold  piece.  We  used  to  get  the  broad  joes, 
in  the  old  war,  as  plenty  as  the  bears  be  now  I  remember 
there  was  a  man  in  Dieskau's  army,  that  was  killed,  who  had  a 
dozen  of  the  shining  things  sewed  up  in  his  shirt.  I  didn't 
handle  them  myself,  but  I  seen  them  cut  out  with  my  own  eyes  ; 
they  was  bigger  and  brighter  than  them  be." 

"These  are  English  guineas,  and  are  yours,"  said  Elizabeth  ; 
"  an  earnest  of  what  shall  be  done  for  you." 

"  Me  1  why  should  you  give  me  this  treasure  ? "  said  Natty, 
looking  earnestly  at  the  maiden. 

'•'•  Why,  have  you  not  saved  my  life !  did  you  not  rescue  me 
from  the  jaws  of  the  beast  ? "  exclaimed  Elizabeth,  veiling  her 
ej-ea  aa  if  to  hide  some  hideous  object  from  her  view. 

The  hunter  took  the  money,  and  continued  turning  it  in  hia 


THE  PIONEESS.  32? 

hand  for  some  time,  piece  I.,  piece,  talking  aloud  during  the 
operation. 

"  There's  a  rifle,  they  say,  out  on  the  Cherry  Valley,  that  will 
carry  a  hundred  rods  aud  kill.  I've  eeen  good  guns  in  niy  day, 
but  noue  quite  equal  to  that.  A  hundred  rods  with  anysartaiuty 
is  great  shooting  !  Well,  well — Fin  old,  and  the  gun  I  have  will 
answer  my  time.  Here,  child,  take  back  your  gold.  But  the 
hour  has  come  ;  I  hear  him  talking  to  the  cattle,  and  I  must 
be  going.  You  won't  tell  of  us,  gal — you  won't  tell  of  us, 
wiU  ye?" 

"  Tell  of  you  1 "  echoed  Elizabeth.—"  But  take  the  money,  old 
man  ;  take  the  money,  even  if  you  go  into  the  mountains." 

"  No,  no,"  said  Natty,  shaking  his  head  kindly  ;  "  I  would 
rot  rob  you  so  for  twenty  rifles.  But  there's  one  thing 
you  can  do  for  me,  if  ye  will,  that  no  other  is  at  hand  to  do." 

"  Name  it— name  it." 

"  Why,  it's  only  to  buy  a  canister  of  powder  ;  —  'twill  cost 
tv.'o  silver  dollars.  Benny  Pump  has  the  money  ready,  but 
we  daren't  come  into  the  town  to  get  it.  Nobody  has  it 
but  the  Frenchman.  'Tis  of  the  best,  and  just  suits  a  rifle. 
Will  you  get  it  for  ine,  gal?  —  say,  will  you  get  it  for 
me?" 

"  Will  I !  I  will  bring  it  to  you,  Leather-stocking,  though  I 
toil  a  day  in  quest  of  you  through  the  woods.  But  where  shall 
I  find  you,  and  how  ? " 

"  Where  ! "  said  Natty,  musing  a  moment — "  to-morrow  on  the 
Vision ;  on  the  very  top  of  the  V ision,  I'll  meet  you,  child,  just 
as  the  sun  gets  over  our  heads.  See  that  it's  the  fine  grain ; 
you'll  know  it  by  the  gloss,  and  the  price." 

"  I  will  do  it,"  said  Elizabeth  firmly. 

Natty  now  seated  himself,  and,  placing  his  feet  in  the  hole, 
\vith  a  slight  effort  he  opened  a  passage  through  into  the 
Gtreet.  The  ladies  heard  the  rustling  of  hay,  and  well  under- 
stood the  reason  why  Edwards  was  in  the  capacity  of  a 
teamster. 

"Come,  Benny,"  said  the  hunter;  "'twill  be  no  darker 
to-night,  for  the  moon  will  rise  in  an  hour." 

"  Stay  ! "  exclaimed  Elizabeth  ;  "  it  should  not  be  said  that 
you  escaped  in  the  presence  of  the  daughter  of  Judge  Temple. 
Return,  Leather-stocking,  and  let  us  retire,  before  you  execute 
your  plan;" 

Natty  was  about  to  reply,  when  the  approaching  footsteps  of 
the  gaoler  announced  the  necessity  of  his  immediate  return.  He 
had  barely  time  to  regain  his  feet,  and  to  conceal  the  hole 
with  the  bed-clothes,  across  which  Benjamin  very  opportunely 
fell,  before  the  key  was  turned,  and  the  door  of  the  apartment 
opened. 


928  THE  PIONEERS. 

u  Isn't  Miss  Temple  ready  to  go? "  said  the  civil  gaoler :— "Hto 
the  usual  hour  for  locking  up." 

"  I  follow  7011,  sir,"  returned  Elizabeth,  "  Good  night,  Leather* 
stocking." 

"It's  a  fine  grain,  gal,  and  I  think  'twill  carry  lead  further 
than  common.  I  am  getting  old,  and  can't  follow  up  the  game 
\rith  the  step  that  I  used  to  could." 

Miss  Temple  waved  her  hand  for  silence,  and  preceded  Louisa 
gjid  the  keeper  from  the  apartment  The  man  turned  the  key 
once,  and  observed  that  he  would  return  and  secure  his  prisoners, 
when  he  had  lighted  the  ladies  to  the  street.  Accordingly,  they 
parted  at  the  door  of  the  building,  when  the  gaoler  retired  to  his 
dungeons,  and  the  ladies  walked,  with  throbbing  hearts,  towards 
the  corner. 

"Now  the  Leather-stocking  refuses  the  money,"  whispered 
Louisa,  "it  can  all  be  given  to  Mr.  Edwards,  and  that  added 
to"— 

"  Listen  I "  said  Elizabeth  ;  "  I  hear  the  rustling  of  the  hay  ; 
they  are  escaping  at  this  moment.  Oh !  they  will  be  detected 
instantly ! " 

By  this  time  they  were  at  the  corner,  where  Edwards  and 
Natty  were  in  the  act  of  drawing  the  almost  helpless  body-e$ 
Benjamin  through  the  aperture.  The  oxen  had  started  back 
from  their  hay,  and  were  standing  with,  their  heads  down  the 
street,  leaving  room  for  the 'party  to  act  in. 

"  Throw:  the  hay  into  the  cart,"  said  Edwards,  "  or  they 
will  suspect  how  it  has  been  done.  Quick,  that  they  may  not 
see  it" 

Natty  had  just  returned  from  executing  this  order,  when 
the  light  of  the  keeper's  candle  shone  through  the  hole,  and 
instantly  his  voice  was  heard  in  the  gaol,  exclaiming  for  his 
prisoners.' 

'"What  is  to  be  done  now?"  said  Edwards— " this  drunken 
fellow  will  cause  our  detection,  and  we  have  not  a  moment  to 
spare." 

"  Who's  drunk,  ye  lubber  I "  muttered  the  steward. 

"  A  break-gaol  1  a  break-gaol  1 "  shouted  five  or  six  voices  from 
within. 

"  We  must  leave  him,"  eaid  Edwards. 

« Twouldn't  be  kind,  lad,"  returned  Natty ;  "  he  took  half 
,&e  disgrace  of  the  stocks  on  himself  to-day,  and  the  create! 
lias  feeling." 

At  this  moment  two-  or  three  men  were  heard  issuing  from  tl 
door  of  the  "  Bold  Dragoon,"  and  among  them  the  voice  of  Billy 

<n>  *  _JL 

"There's  no  moon  yet,"  cried  the  wood^chopper ;  "but  itfs 
p  dear  night  Come,  who's  for  home  ?  Hark  1  what  a  rumpus 


fTHE  PIONEERS.  329 

they're  kicking  np  in  the  gaol  —  here's  go  and  see  what  it's 
about." 

"  We  shall  he  lost,"  said  Edwards,  "  if  we  don't  drop  this 
man," 

At  that  instant  Elizaheth  moved  close  to  him,  and  said  rapidly, 
in  a  low  voice, — 

"  Lay  him  in  the  cart,  and  start  the  oxen ;  no  one  will  look 
there." 

"There's  a  woman's  quickness  in  the  thought,"  said  the  youth. 

The  proposition  was  no  sooner  made  than  executed.  The 
steward  was  seated  on  the  hay,  and  enjoined  to  hold  his  peace, 
and  apply  the  goad  that  was  placed  in  his  hand,  while  the  oxen 
were  urged  on.  So  soon  as  this  arrangement  was  completed, 
Edwards  and  the  hunter  stole  along  the  houses  for  a  short  - 
distance,  when  they  disappeared  through  an  opening  that  led 
into  the  rear  of  the  buildings.  The  oxen  were  in  brisk  motion, 
and  presently  the  cries  of  pursuit  were  heard  in  the  street  Tho 
ladies  quickened  their  pace,  with  a  wish  to  esr.ap«  tte  crowd  oi 
constables  and  idlers. that  were  approaching,  some  execrating  and 
some  laughing  at  the  exploit  of  the  prisoners.  In  the  confusion 
the  voice  of  Kirby  was  plainly  distinguishable  above  all  the 
others,  shouting  and  swearing  that  he  would  have  the  fugitives, 
threatening  to  bring  back  Natty  in  one  pocket  and  Benjamin  in 
the  other. 

"  Spread  yourselves,  men,"  he  cried,  as  he  passed  the  ladies> 
his  heavy  feet  sounding  along  the  street  like  the  tread  of  a 
dozen  ;  "  spread  yourselves  ;  to  the  mountains  ;  they'll  be  in  the 
mountain  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  and  then  look  out  for  a 
long  rifle." 

His  cries  were  echoed  from  twenty  mouths,  for  not  only  the 
gaol,  but  the  taverns  had  sent  forth  their  numbers,  some  earnest 
in  the  pursuit  and  others  joining  it  as  in  sport. 

As  Elizabeth  turned  in  at  her  father's  gate,  she  saw  the  wood- 
chopper  stop  at  the  cart,  when  she  gave  Benjamin  up  for  lost. 
IVTiile  they  were  hurrying  up  the  walk,  two  figures,  stealing 
cautiously  but  quickly  under  the  shades  of  the  trees,  met  tha 
eyes  of  the  ladies,  and  in  a  moment  Edwards  and  the  hunter 
crossed  their  path. 

'Miss  Temple,  I  may  never  see  you  again,"  exclaimed  the 
youth ;  "  let  me  thank  you  for  all  your  kindness ;  you  do  not, 
cannot  know  my  motives." 

"Fly!  fly!"  cried  Elizabeth :— "  the  village  is  alarmed.  Do 
not  be  found  conversing  with  me  at  such  a  moment,  and  in 
these  grounds." 

I  Nay,  I  must  speak,  though  detection  were  certain." 

u  Your  retreat  to  the  bridge  is  already  cut  off ;  before  you  can 
gain  the  wopd  your  pursuers  will  be 


330  THE  P10NEEEB. 

"  If  what  I*  cried  the  youth.  "  Your  advice  has  saved  me  once 
already  ;  I  will  follow  it  to  death." 

"  The  street  is  now  silent  and  vacant,"  said  Elizabeth,  after 
a  pause  ;  "  cross  it,  and  you  will  find  my  father's  boat  in  the 
lake.  It  would  be  easy  to  land  from  it  where  you  please  in 
the  hills." 

"  But  Judge  Temple  might  complain  of  the  trespass." 

"  His  daughter  shall  be  accountable,  sir." 

The  youth  uttered  something  in  a  low  voice,  that  was  heard 
only  by  Elizabeth,  and  turned  to  execute  what  she  had 
suggested.  As  they  were  separating,  Natty  approached  the 
females,  and  said, — 

"You'll  remember  the  canister  of  powder,  children.  Them 
beavers  must  be  had,  and  I  and  the  pups  be  getting  old ;  we  want 
the  best  of  ammunition." 

"  Come,  Natty,"  said  Edwards  impatiently. 

"Coming,  lad,  coming.  God  bless  you,  young  ones,  both  of  ve. 
for  ye  mean  well  and  kindly  to  the  old  man." 

The  ladles  paused  until  they  lost  sight  of  the  retreating 
figures,  when  they  immediately  entered  the  Mansion-house. 

While  this  scene  was  passing  in  the  walk,  Kirby  had  over- 
taken the  cart,  which  was  his  own,  and  had  been  driven  by 
Edwards  without  asking  the  owner,  from  the  place  where  the 
patient  oxen  usually  stood  at  evening,  waiting  the  pleasure  of 
their  master. 

"  Woa  ! — come  hither,  Golden,"  he  cried  ;  "  why,  how  come  you 
off  the  end  of  the  bridge,  where  I  left  you,  dummies  ? " 

"Heave  ahead,"  muttered  Benjamin,  giving  a  random  blow 
with  his  lash,  that  alighted  on  the  shoulder  of  the  other. 

"  Who  the  devil  be  you  ? "  cried  Billy,  turning  round  in 
surprise,  but  unable  to  distinguish,  in  the  dark,  the  hard  visage 
that  was  just  peering  over  the  cart-rails. 

"  Who  be  I !  why  I'm  helmsman  aboard  of  this  here  craft,  d'ye 
see,  and  a  straight  wake  I'm  making  of  it.  A.y,  ay  !  I've  got  the 
bridge  right  ahead,  and  the  bilboes  dead-aft ;  I  calls  that  good 
steerage,  boy.  Heave  ahead." 

"  Lay  your  lash  in  the  right  spot,  Mr.  Benny  Pump,"  said  the 
wood-chopper,  "  or  I'll  put  you  in  the  palm  of  ray  hand,  and  box 
your  ears.  Where  be  you  going  with  my  team  ?  ' 

"Team  I" 

"  Ay,  my  cart  and  oxen." 

"  Why,  you  must  know,  Master  Kirby,  that  the  Leather- 
stocking  and  I — that's  Benny  Pump — you  knows  Ben? — well, 
Benny  and  I — no,  me  and  Benny  ;  dam'me  if  I  know  how  'tis  ; 
but  some  of  us  are  bound  after  a  cargo  of  beaver-skims,  d'ye  tee, 
and  so  we've  pressed  the  cart  to  ship  them  'ome  in.  I  pay, 
Master  Kirby,  what  a  lubberly  oar  you  pull— you  handle  an  oar, 


THE  PIONEERS.  331 

boy,  pretty  mu«h  as  a  cow  would  a  musket,  or  a  lady  would  a 
marling-  spike." 

Billy  had  discovered  the  state  of  the  steward's  mind,  and  he 
walkea  for  some  time  alongside  of  the  cart,  musinp  with  himself, 
when  he  took  the  goad  from  Benjamin  (who  fell  back  on  the 
hay,  and  was  soon  asleep),  and  drove  his  cattle  down  the  street, 
over  the  bridge,  and  up  the  mountain,  towards  a  clearing, 
in  which  he  was  to  work  the  next  day,  without  any  other 
interruption  than  a  few  hasty  questions  from  parties  of  the 
constables. 

Elizabeth  stood  for  an  hour  at  the  window  of  her  room,  and 
saw  the  torches  of  the  pursuers  gliding  along  the  side  of  the 
mountain,  and  heard  their  shouts  and  alarms ;  but,  at  the  end 
of  that  time,  the  last  party  returned,  wearied  and  disappointed, 
and  the  village  became  as  still  as  when  she  issued  from  the  gate 
on  Ler  mission  to  the  §aol. 


CHAPTER   XXXVL 

•'And  I  could  weep"— th'  Oneida  chief 

His  descant  wildly  thus  begun — 
"  Put  that  I  may  nut  stain  with  grief 

The  death  song  of  my  father's  son." 

Gertrude  oj  Wyoming. 

IT  was  yet  early  on  the  following  morning,  when  Elizabeth  and 
Louisa  met  by  appointment,  and  proceeded  to  the  store  of 
Monsieur  Lo  Quoi,  in  order  to  redeem  the  pledge  the  former  had 

B'vcn  to  the  Leather-stocking.  The  people  were  again  assem- 
ing  for  the  business  of  the  day,  but  the  hour  was  too  soon  for 
a  crowd,  and  the  ladies  found  the  place  in  possession  of  its  polite 
owner,  Billy  Kirby,  one  female  customer,  and  the  boy  who  did 
the  duty  of  helper  or  clerk. 

Monsieur  Le  Quoi  was  perusing  a  packet  of  letters  with  mani- 
fest delight,  while  the  wood-chopper,  with  one  hand  thrust  in 
his  bosom,  and  the  other  in  th«  folds  of  his  jacket,  holding  an 
axe  under  his  right  arm,  stood  sympathizing  in  the  Frenchman's 
pleasure  with  good-natured  interest.  The  freedom  of  manners 
that  prevailed  in  the  new  settlements  commonly  levelled  all 
difference  in  rank,  and  with  it,  frequently,  all  considerations  of 
education  and  intelligence.  At  the  time  the  ladies  entered  the 
store,  they  were  unseen  by  the  owner,  who  was  saying  to 
Kirby,— 

"  Ah  !  ha  !  Monsieur  Beel,  dis  lettair  mak  me  de  most  happi 
of  mans.  Ah  !  ma  chere  France  !  I  vill  see  you  aga'n." 

"I  rejoice,  Monsieur,  at  anything  that  contributes  to  you: 
happiness,"  said  Elizabeth,  "  but  hope  we  are  not  going  to  los; 
you  entirely." 

The  complaisant  shopkeeper  changed  the  language  to  French, 
and  recounted  rapidly  to  Elizabeth  his  hopes  of  being  permitted 
to  return  to  his  own  country.  Habit  had,  however,  so  far 
altered  the  manners  of  this  pliable  personage,  that  he  continued 
to  serve  the  Wood-chopper,  who  was  in  quest  of  some  tobacco, 
while  he  related  to  his  more  gentle  visitor  the  happy  change 
that  had  taken  place  in  the  dispositions  of  his  own  country- 
men. 

The  amount  of  it  all  was,  that  Mr.  Le  Quoi,  who  had  fled 

83J 


THE  PIONEERS.  333 

from  his  own  country  more  through  terror  than  because  he  was 
offensive  to  the  ruling  powers  in  France,  had  succeeded  at  length 
in  getting  an  assurance  that  his  return  to  the  West  Indies  would 
he  unnoticed ;  and  the  Frenchman,  who  had  sunk  into  the 
character  of  a  country  shopkeeper,  with  so  much  grace,  was 
about  to  emerge  again  from  his  obscurity  into  his  proper  level 
in  society. 

"We  need  not  repeat  the  civil  things  that  passed  between  the 
parties  on  this  occasion,  nor  recount  the  endless  repetitions  of 
sorrow  that  the  delighted  Frenchman  expressed  at  being 
compelled  to  quit  the  society  of  Miss  Temple.  Elizabeth  took 
an  opportunity,  during  this  expenditure  of  polite  expressions, 
to  purchase  the  powder  privately  of  the  boy,  who  bore  the 
generic  appellation  of  Jonathan.  Before  they  parted,  however, 
Mr.  Le  Quoi,  who  seemed  to  think  that  he  had  not  said  enough, 
solicited  the  honour  of  a  private  interview  with  the  heiress, 
with  a  gravity  in  his  air  that  announced  the  importance  of  the 
subject.  After  conceding  the  favour,  and  appointing  a  more 
favourable  time  for  the  meeting,  Elizabeth  succeeded  in  getting 
out  of  the  store,  into  which  the  countrymen  now  began  t« 
enter  as  usual,  where  they  met  with  the  same  attention  and 
biense'ance  as  formerly. 

Elizabeth  and  Louisa  purstied.  their  walk  as  far  as  the  bridge 
in  profound  silence  ;  but  when  they  reached  that  place,  the 
latter  stopped,  and  appeared  anxious  to  utter  something  that  her 
diffidence  suppressed. 

"  Are  you  ill,  Louisa  ? "  exclaimed  Miss  Temple ;  "  had  we 
not  better  return,  and  seek  another  opportunity  to  meet  the  old 
man?" 

"  Not  ill,  but  terrified.  Oh  1  I  never,  never  can  go  on  that 
hill  again  with  you  only.  I  am  not  equal  to  it,  indeed  I  am  not." 

This  was  an  unexpected  declaration'  to  Elizabeth,  who, 
although  she  experienced  no  idle  apprehension  «f  a  danger  that 
no  longer  existed,  felt  most  sensitively  all  the  delicacy  of  maiden 
modesty:  She  stood  for  some  time,  deeply  reflecting  within 
herself;  but,  sensible  it  was  a  time  for  action  instead  of 
reflection,  she  struggled  to  shake  off  her  hesitation,  and  replied 
firmly, — 

"  Well,  then,  it  must  be  done  by  me  alone.  There  is  no  other 
than  yourse'f  to  be  trusted,  or  poor  old  Leather-stocking  will 
be  discovered.  Wait  for  me  in  the  edge  of  these  woods,  that 
at  least  I  may  not  be  seen  strolling  in  the  hills  by  myself  just 
now.  One  would  not  wish  to  create  remarks,  Louisa — if — if — 
You  will  wait  for  me,  dear  girl  ? " 

"A  year,  in  sight  of  the  village,  Miss  Temple,"  returned 
the  agitated  Louisa,  "  but  do  not,  do  not  ask  me  to  go  on  that 
hilL" 


334  THE  PIONEERS. 

Elizabeth  found  that  her  companion  was  really  unable  to 
proceed,  and  they  completed  their  arrangement  by  posting 
Louisa  out  of  the  observation  of  the  people  who  occasionally 
passed,  but  nigh  the  road,  and  in  plain  .view  of  the  whole 
valley.  Miss  Temple  then  proceeded  alone.  She  ascended  the 
road  which  has  been  so  often  mentioned  in  our  narrative,  with 
an  elastic  and  firm  step,  fearful  that  the  delay  in  the  store  of 
Mr.  Le  Quoi,  and  the  time  necessary  for  reaching  the  summit, 
would  prevent  her  being  punctual  to  the  appointment.  When- 
ever she  passed  an  opening  in  the  bushes,  sue  would  pause  for 
breath,  or  perhaps,  drawn  from  her  pursuits  by  the  picture  at 
her  feet,  would  linger  a  moment  to  gaze  at  the  beauties  of  the 
valley.  The  long  drought  had,  however,  changed  its  coat  of 
verdure  to  a  hue  of  brown,  and  though  the  same  localities  were 
there,  the  view  wanted  the  lively  and  cheering  aspect  of  early 
sum  me  r.  Even  the  heavens  seemed  to  share  iu  the  dried 
appearance  of  the  earth,  for  the  sun  was  concealed  by  a  haziness 
in  the  atmosphere,  which  looked  like  a  thin  smoke  without  a 
particle  of  moisture,  if  such  a  thing  were  possible.  The  blue 
sky  was  scarcely  to  be  seen,  though  now  and  then  there  was  a 
faint  lighting  up  in  spots,  through  which  masses  of  rolling 
vapour  could  be  discerned  gathering  around  the  horizon,  as  if 
nature  were  struggling  to  collect  her  floods  for  the  relief  of  man. 
The  very  atmosphere  that  Elizabeth  inhaled  was  hot  and  dry, 
and  by  the  time  she  reached  the  point  where  the  course  led 
her  from  the  highway,  she  experienced  a  sensation  like  suffoca- 
tion. But,  disregarding  her  feelings,  she  hastened  to  execute 
her  mission,  dwelling  on  nothing  but  the  disappointment,  and 
even  the  helplessness,  the  hunter  would  experience  without 
her  aid. 

On  the  summit  of  the  mountain  which  Judge  Temple  had 
named  the  "  Vision,"  a  little  spot  had  been  cleared,  in  order  that 
a  better  view  might  be  obtained  of  the  village  and  the  valley. 
At  this  point  Elizabeth  understood  the  hunter  she  was  to  meet 
him ;  and  thither  she  urged  her  way,  as  expeditiously  as  the 
difficulty  of  the  ascent  and  the  impediments  of  a  forest  in  a  state 
of  nature  would  admit.  Numberless  were  the  fragments  of 
rocks,  trunks  of  fallen  trees,  and  branches,  with  which  she  had 
to  contend  ;  but  every  difficulty  vanished  before  her  resolution, 
and,  by  ,her  own  watch,  she  Ptood  on  the  desired  spot  several 
minutes  before  the  appointed  hour. 

After  resting  a  moment  on  the  end  of  a  log,  Miss  Temple  cast 
a  glance  about  her  in  quest  of  her  old  friend,  but  he  was  evidently 
not  in  the  clearing ;  she  arose  and  walked  around  its  skirts, 
examining  every  place  where  she  thought  it  probable  Natty 
might  deem  it  prudent  to  conceal  himself.  Her  search  was 
fruitless;  and,  after  exhausting  not  only  herself,  but 'her  con- 


«-  -  TEE  •••IONEERS.  335 

« 

jectures,  In  efforts  to  discover  or  imagine  his  situation,  she 
ventured  to  trust  her  voice  in  that  solitary  place. 

" Natty  1  Leather-stocking  1  old  man  I"  she  called  aloud,  in 
every  direction ;  but  no  answer  was  given,  excepting  the 
reverberations  of  her  own  clear  tones,  as  they  were  echoed  in  the 
parched  forest. 

Elizabeth  approached  the  brow  of  the  mountain,  where  a 
faint  cry,  like  the  noise  produced  by  -striking  the  hand  against 
the  mouth,  at  the  same  time  that  the  breath  is  strongly  exhaled, 
was  heard,  answering  to  her  own  voice.  Not  doubting  in  the  least 
that  it  was  the  Leather-stocking  lying  in  wait  for  her,  and  who 

i  gave  that  signal  to  indicate  the  place  where  he  was  to  be  found, 
Elizabeth  descended  for  near  a  hundred  feet,  until  she  gained 
a  little  natural  terrace,  thinly  scattered  with  trees,  that  grew  in 
the  fissures  of  the  rocks,  which  were  covered  by  a  scanty  soil. 
She  had  advanced  to  the  edge  of  this  platform,  and  was  gazing 
over  the  perpendicular  precipice  that  formed  its  face,  when  a 
rustling  among  the  dry  leaves  near  her  drew  her  eyes  in  another 
direction.  Our  heroine  certainly  was  startled  by  the  object 
that  she  then  saw,  but  a  moment  restored  her  self-possession,  and 
she  advanced  firmly  and  with  some  interest  in  her  manner  to 
the  spot. 

Mohegan  was  seated  on  the  trunk  of  a  fallen  oak,  with  his 
tawny  visage  turned  towards  her,  and  his  eyes  fixed  on  her  face 
with  an  expresuon  of  wildness  and  fire  that  would  have  terrified 
a  less  resolute  female.  His  blanket  had  fallen  from  his  shoulders, 
and  was  lying  in  folds  aroxmd  him,  leaving  his  breast,  arms,  and 
most  of  his  body  bare.  The  medallion  of  Washington  reposed  on 
his  chest,  a  badge  of  distinction  that  Elizabeth  well  knew  he 
•nly  produced  on  great  and  solemn  occasions.  But  the  whole 
appearance  of  the  aged  chief  was  more  studied  than  common,  and 
in  some  particulars  it  was  terrific.  The  long  black  hair  was 
plaited  on  his  head,  falling  away,  so  as  to  expose  his  high  fore- 
head and  piercing  eyes,  in  the  enormous  incisions  of  his  ears 
were  entwined  ornaments  of  silver,  beads,  and  porcupine's  qjiills, 
mingled  in  a  rude  taste,  and  after  the  Indian  fashions.  A  Ifrge 
drop,  composed  of  similar  materials,  was  suspended  from  the 
cartilage  of  his  nose,  and,  falbng  below  his  lips,  rested  on  his 

•chin.  Streaks  of  red  paint  crossed  his  wrinkled  brow,  and  were 
traced  down  his  cheeks,  with  such  variations  in  the  lines  as 
caprice  or  custom  suggested.  His  body  was  also  coloured  in  the 
same  manner  ;  the  whole  exhibiting  an  Indian  warrior,  prepared 
for  some  event  of  more  than  usual  moment. 

"  John  I  how  fare  you,  worthy  John  ? "  said  Elizabeth,  as  she 
approached  him  ;  "you  have  long  been,  a  stranger  in  the  village. 
You  promised  me  a  willow  basket,  and  I  have  long  had  a  shirt  of 
calico  in  readiness  for  you." 


336  THE  PIONEERS. 

The  Indian  looked  steadily  at  her  for  some  time  without 
answering,  and  then,  shaking  his  head,  he  replied,  in  his  low 
guttural  tones, — 

"  John's  hand  can  make  baskets  no  more — he  wants  no  shirt." 

"  But  if  he  should  he  will  know  where  to  come  for  it,"  returned 
Miss  Temple.  "  Indeed,  old  John,  I  feel  as  if  you  had  a  natural 
right  to  order  what  you  will  from  us." 

"  Daughter,"  said  the  Indian,  "  listen :  —  Six  times  ten  hot 
summers  have  passed  since  John  was  young  ;  tall  like  a  pine ; 
straight  like  the  bullet  of  Hawk-eye  ;  strong  as  the-buffalp ;  spry 
as  the  cat  of  the  mountain.  He  was  strong,  and  a  warrior  like 
the  Young  Eagle.  If  his  tribe  wanted  to  track  the  Maquas  for 
many  suns,  the  eye  of  Chingachgook  found  the  print  of  their 
mocassins.  If  the  people  feasted  and  were  glad,  as  they  counted 
the  scalps  of  their  enemies,  it  was  on  his  pole  they  hung.  If  the 
squaws  cried  because  there  was  no  meat  for  their  children,. he 
\vas  the  first  in  the  chase.  His  bullet  was  swifter  than  the  deer. 
Daughter,  then  Chingachgook  struck  his  tomahawk  into  the 
trees ;  it  was  to  tell  the  lazy  ones  where  to  find  him  and  the 
Mingoes — but  he  made  no  baskets." 

"  Those  times  have  gone  by,  old  warrior,"  returned  Elizabeth  ; 
"since  then  your  people  have  disappeared,  and,  in  place  of 
chasing  your  enemies,  you  have  learned  to  fear  God  ana  to  live 
at  peace. 

"  Stand  here,  daughter,  where  you  can  see  the  great  spring,  the 
wigwams  of  your  father,  and  the  land  on  the  crooked  river. 
John  was  young  when  his  tribe  gave  away  the  country,  in  council, 
from  where  the  blue  mountain  stands  above  the  water  to  where 
the  Susquehanna  is  hid  by  the  trees.  All  this,  and  all  that  grew 
in  it,  and  all  that  walked  over  it,  and  all  that  fed  there,  they 
gave  to  the  Fire-eater — for  they  loved  him.  He  was  strong,  and 
they  were  women,  and  he  helped  them.  No  Delaware  would 
kill  a  deer  that  run  in  his  woods,  nor  stop  a  bird  that  flew  over 
his  land  ;  for  it  was  his.  Has  John  lived  in  peace  ?  Daughter, 
since  John  was  young,  he  has  seen  the  white  man  from  Frontinac 
come  down  on  his  white  brothers  at  Albany  and  fight.  Did  they 
fear  God?  He  has  seen  his  English  and  his  American  fathers 
burying  their  tomahawks  in  each  other's  brains,  for  this  very 
land.  Did  they  fear  God,  and  live  in  peace  ?  He  has  seen  the 
land  pass  away  from  the  Fire-eater  and  his  children,  and  the 
child  of  his  child,  and  a  new  chief  set  over  the  country.  Did 
they  live  in  peace  who  did  this  ?  Did  they  fear  God  ? " 

"  Such  is  the  custom  of  the  whites,  John.  Do  not  the  Dela- 
wares  fight,  and  exchange  their  lands  for  t>owder,  and  blankets, 
and  merchandise  ? " 

The  Indian  turned  his  dark  eyes  on  his  companion,  and  kept 
them  there,  with  a  scrutiny  that  alarmed  her  a  little. 


THE  PIONEERS,  837 

"  Where  are  the  blankets  and  merchandise  that  bought  the 
right  of  the  Fire-eater  ?"  he  replied  in  a  more  animated  voice; 
"  are  they  with  him  in  his  wigwam  1  Did  they  eay  to  him, 
Brother,  sell  us  your  land,  and  take  this  gold,  this  silver,  these 
blankets,  these  rifles,  or  even  this  rum  ?  No  ;  they  tore  it 
from  him,  as  a  scalp  is  torn  from  an  enemy  ;  and  they  that  did 
it  looked  not  behind  them,  to  see  whether  he  lived  or  died.  Do 
such  men  live  in  peace,  and  fear  the  Great  Spirit  ? " 

"  But  you  hardly  understand  the  circumstances,"  said  Elizabeth, 
more  embarrassed  than  she  would  own,  even  to  herself.  "If 
you  knew  our  laws  and  customs  better,  you  would  judge 
differently  of  our  acts.  Do  not  believe  evil  of  my  father,  old 
Mohegan,  irr  he  is  just  and  good." 

"  The  brother  of  Miquon  is  good,  and  he  will  do  right.  I 
have  said  it  to  Hawk-eye — I  have  said  it  to  the  Young  Eagle, 
that  the  brother  of  Miquon  would  do  justice." 

"Whom  call  you  the  Young  Eagle?"  said  Elizabeth,  averting 
her  face  from  the  gaze  of  the  Indian,  as  she  asked  the  question  ; 
"  whence  comes  he,  and  what  are  his  rights  ? " 

"Has  my  daughter  lived  so  long  with  him  to  ask  this 
question  1 "  returned  the  Indian  warily.  "  Old  age  freezes  up 
the  blood,  as  the  frosts  cover  the  great  spring  in  winter ;  but 
youth  keeps  the  streams  of  the  blood  open,  like  a  sun  in  the 
time  of  blossoms.  The  Young  Bugle  has  eyes ;  had  he  no 
tongue?" 

The  loveliness  to  wh>",h  the  old  warrior  alluded  was  in  no 
degree  diminished  by  his  allegorical  speech  ;  for  the  blushes  of 
the  maiden  who  listened  covered  her  burning  cheeks,  till  her^ 
dark  eyes  seemed  to  glow  with  their  reflection ;  but  after 
struggling  a  moment  with  shame,  she  laughed,  as  if  unwilling  to 
understand  him  seriously,  and  replied  in  pleasantry, — 

"Not  to  make  me  the  mistress  of  his  eecrec.  He  is  too  much 
of  a  Delaware,  to  tell  his  secret  thoughts  to  a  woman." 

"Daughter,  the  Great  Spirit  made  your  father  with  a  white 
skin,  and  he  made  mine  with  a  red  ;  but  he  coloured  both  their 
hearts  with  blood.  When  young,  it  is  swift  and  warm  ;  but 
when  old,  it  is  still  and  cold.  Is  there  difference  below  the  skin  ? 
No.  Once  John  had  a  woman.  She  was  the  mother  of  so  many 
eons" — he  raised  his  hand  with  three  fingers  elevated — "and  she 
had  daughters  that  would  have  made  the  young  Delawares  happy 
She  was  kind,  daughter,  and  what  I  said  she  did.  You  have 
different  fashions  ;  but  do  you  think  John  did- not  love  the  wife 
of  his  youth — the  mother  oi'  his  children  ?" 

"And  what  baa  become  of  your  family,  John,  your  wife  and 
your  children?"  asked  Elizabeth,  touched  by  the  Indian's 
manner. 

"  Where  is  the  ice  that  covered  the  great  spring  ?    It  is  melted. 


333  THE  PIONEERS. 

and  gone  -with  the  waters.  John  has  lived  till  all  his  people 
have  left  him  .for  the  land  of  spirits ;  his  time  has  come,  and  he 
is  ready.'' 

Mohegan  dropped  his  head  in  his  blanket,  and  sat  in  silence. 
Miss  Temple  knew  not  what  to  say.  She  wished  to  draw  -the 
thoughts  of  the  old  warrior  from  his  gloomy  recollections  ;  but 
there  was  a  dignity  in  his  sorrow,  and  in  his  fortitude,  that 
repressed  her  efforts  to  speak.  After  a  long  pause,  however,  she 
renewed  the  discourse,  by  asking, — 

"  Where  is  the  Leather-stocking,  John  ?  I  have  brought  this 
canister  of  powder  at  his  request ;  but  he  is  nowhere  to  be  seen. 
Will  you  take  charge  of  it,  and  see  it  delivered  ? " 

The  Indian  raised  his  head  slowly,  and  looked  earnestly  at  the 
gift,  which  she  put  in  his  hand. 

"  This  is  the  great  enemy  of  my  nation.  Without  this,  when 
could  the  white  men  drive  the  Dela  wares  ?  Daughter,  the  Great 
Spirit  gave  your  fathers  to  know  how  to  make  guns  and  powder, 
that  they  might  sweep  the  Indians  from  the  land.  There  will 
soon  be  no  redskin  in  the  country.  When  John  has  gone,  the 
last  will  leave  these  hills,  and  his  family  will  be  dead."  The 
aged  warrior  stretched  his  body  forward,  leaning  an  elbow  en  his 
knee,  and  appeared  to  be  taking  a  parting  look  at  the  objects  of 
the  vale,  which  were  still  visible  through  tne  misty  atmosphere  ; 
though  the  air  seemed  to  thicken  at  each  moment  around  Miss 
Temple,  who  became  conscious  of  an  increased  difficulty  of 
respiration.  The  eye  of  Mohegan  changed  gradually  from  ita 
sorrowful  expression  to  a  look  of  wildness,  that  might  be  sup- 
posed to  border  on  the  inspiration  of  a  prophet,  as  he  continued 
— "  But  he  will  go  to  the  country  where  his  fathers  have  met. 
The  game  shall  be  plenty  as  the  fish  in  the  lakes.  No  woman 
shall  cry  for  meat,  no  Mingo  can  ever  come.  The  chase  shall 
be  for  children,  and  all  just  red  men  shall  live  together  as 
brothers." 

"  John !  this  is  not  the  heaven  of  a  Christian  1 "  cried  Miss 
Temple  ;  "  you  deal  now  in  the  superstition  of  your  forefathers." 

"  Fathers  1  son ! "  said  Mohegan  with  firmness — "  all  gone — 
all  gone  ! — I  have  no  son  but  the  Young  Eagle,  and  he  has  the 
blood  of  a  white  man." 

"  Tell  me,  John,"  sadd  Elizabeth,  willing  to  draw  his  thoughts 
to  other  subjects  and  at  the  same  time  yielding  to  her  own 
powerful  interest  in  the  youth ;  •"  who  is  this  Mr.  Edwards  ? 
why  are  you  so  fond  of  him,  and  whence  does  he  come  ? " 

The  Indian  started  at  the  question,  which  evidently  recalled 
his  recollection  to  earth.  Taking  her  hand,  he  drew  Misa 
Temple  to  a  seat  beside  him.  and  pointed  to  the  country  beneath 
them, — 

"See,  daughter,"  he  eaid,  directing  her  looks  towards  the 


THE  PIONEERS.  339 

north  ;  "  as  far  as  your  young  eyts  can  see,  it  was  the  land  of 
his"-— 

But  immense  volumes  of  smoke  at  that  moment  rolled  over 
their  heads,  and,  whirling  in  the  eddies  formed  by  the  moun- 
tains, interposed  a  barrier  to  their  eight,  while  he  was  speaking. 
Startled  by  this  circumstance,  Miss  Temple  sprang  on  her  feet, 
and  turning  her  eyes  toward  the  summit  of  the  mountain,  ehe 
beheld  it  covered  by  a  similar  canopy,  while  a  roaring  sound  was 
heard  in.  the  forest  above  her,  like  the  rushing  of  winds. 

"What  means  it,  John  ?"  she  exclaimed  ;'  "we-  are  enveloped 
in  smoke,  and  I  feel  a  heat  like  the  glow  of  a  furnace." 

Before  the  Indian  could  reply,  a  voice  was  heard,  crying  in 
the  woodsj — 

"  John  !  where  are  you,  old  Mohegan  1  the  woods  are  on  fire, 
and  you  have  but  a  minute  for  escape." 

The  chief  put  his  hand  before  his  mouth,  and  making  it  play 
on  his  lips,  produced  the  kind  of  noise  that  had  attracted  Elizabeth 
to  the  place,  when  a  quick  and  hurried  step  was  heard  dadi' 
through  the  dried  underbrush  and  bushes,  and  presently  Edwa: 
rushed  to  hia  side,  with  horror  in  every  fcn'.nr- 


CHAPTER    XXXY1I. 
Leva  ruies  the  court,  the  camp,  the  grove.— lay  of  (he  Last  Jfuurfrrf. 

MIi  would  have  been  sad  indeed  to  lose  you  in  such  a  manner, 
my  old  friend,"  said  Oliver,  catching  his  breath  for  utterance. 
"  Up  and  away  !  even  now  we  may  be  too  late  ;  the  flames  are 
circling  round  the  point  of  the  rock  below,  and,  unless  we  can 
pass  there,  our  only  chance  must  be  over  the  precipice.  Away  J 
away  !  shake  off  your  apathy,  John  ;  now  is  the  time  of  need." 

Mohegan  pointed  towards  Elizabeth,  who,  forgetting  her  danger, 
had  shrunk  back  to  a  projection  of  the  rock,  soon  as  she  recog- 
nised the  sounds  of  Edwards's  voice,  and  said  with  something 
like  awakened  animation, — 

"  Save  her — leave  John  to  die." 

"Her!  whom  mean  you?"  cried  the  youth,  turning  quickly 
to  the  place  the  other  indicated  ; — but  when  he  saw  the  figure  of 
Elizabeth,  bending  toward  him  in  an  attitude  that  powerfully 
spoke  terror,  blended  with  reluctance  ,to  meet  him  in  such  a 
place,  the  shock  deprived  him  of  speech. 

" Miss  Temple  I  he  cried,  when  he  found  words  ;  "you  here  ! 
is  such  a  death  reserved  for  you  ! " 

"  No,  no,  no — no  death,  I  hope,  .for  any  of  us,  Mr.  Edwards," 
she  replied,  endeavouring  to  speak  calmly  :  "  there  is  smoke,  but 
no  fire  to  harm  us.  Let  us  endeavour  to  retire." 

"  Take  my  arm,"  said  Edwards  ;  "  there  must  be  an  opening 
in  some  direction  for  your  retreat.  Are  you  equal  to  the 
effort?" 

"Certainly.  You  surely  magnify  the  danger,  MX.  Edwards. 
Lead  me  out  the  way  you  came." 

"  I  will — I  will,"  cried  the  youth,  with  a  kind  of  hysterical 
utterance.  "No,  no — there  is  no  danger — I  have  alarmed  you 
unnecessarily." 

"  But  shall  we  leave  the  Indian — can  we  leave  him,  as  he  says, 
to  die?" 

An  expression  of  painful  emotion  crossed  the  face  of  the  young 
man  ;  he  stopped,  and  cast  a  longing  look  at  Mohegan  j  but, 
dragging  his  companion  after  him,  even  against  her  will,  he 


TffE  PIONEERS.  341 

pursued  his  way,  with  enormous  strides,  toward  tha  pass  by 
which  he  Lad  just  entered  the  circle  of  llamc. 

"  Do  not  regard  hiui,"  he  said,  in  those  tones  Nthat  denote  a 
desperate  calmness;  "he  is  used  to  the  woods,  and  such  scenes  ; 
and  he  will  escape  up  the  mountain — over  the  rock — or  he  can 
remain  where  he  is  in  safety." 

"You  thought  not  so  this  moment,  Edwards!— Do  not  leave 
him  there  to  meet  with  such  a  dorxtL,"  criid  Elizabeth,  fixing  a 
look  on  the  countenance  of  her  conductor  that  seemed  to  distrust 
his  sanity. 

"  An  Indian  burn !  who  ever  heard  of  an  Indian  dying  by 
fire?  an  Indian  cannot  burn  ;  the  idea  is  ridiculous.  Hasten, 
hasten,  Mios  Temple,  or  the  smoke  may  incommode  you." 

"Edwards!  your  look,  your  eye,  terrifies  me!  tell  inc  the 
danger  ;  is  it  greater  than  it  seems  \  I  am  equal  to  any  trial" 

"If  we  reach  the  point  of  yon  rock  before  that  sheet  of  fire,  ue 
are  safe,  Hiss  Temple ! "  exclaimed  the  young  man,  in  a  voice 
that  burst  without  the  bounds  of  his  forced  composure.  "  Fly  ! 
the  struggle  is  for  life  ! " 

The  place  of  the  interview  between  Mi.-s  Temple  and  the 
Indian  has  been  already  described  as  one  of  those  platforms  of 
rock  which  form  a  sort  of  terrace  in  the  mountains  of  that 
country,  and  the  face  of  it,  we  have  said,  was  both  high  and 
perpendicular.  Its  shape  was  nearly  a  natural  arc,  the  ends  of 
which  blended  with  the  mountain,  at  points  where  its  sided  were 
less  abrupt  in  their  descent  It  was  round  one  of  these  termina- 
tions of  the  sweep  of  the  rock  that  Edwards  had  ascended,  and  it 
was  toward  the  .same  place  that  he  urged  Elisabeth  to  a  desperate 
exertion  of  spcud. 

Immense  clouds  of  white  smoke  had  been  pouring  over  the 
summit  of  the  mountain,  and  had  concealed  the  appioach  and 
ravages  of  the  element ;  but  a  crackling  sound  drew  the  eyes  of 
Miss  Temple,  as  she  flew  over  the  ground,  supported  by  the 
~-oung  man,  towards  the  outline  of  smoke,  where  she  already 
perceived  the  waving  flames  shooting  forward  from  the  vapour, 
now  flaring  high  in  the  air,  and  then  bending  to  the  earth, 
seeming  to  light  into  combustion  every  stick  and  shrub  on  which 
they  breathed.  The  sight  aroused  them  to  redoubled  efforts  ; 
but,  unfortunately,  a  collection  of  the  tops  of  trees,  old  and  dned, 
lay  directly  across  their  course  ;  and,  at  the  very  moment  when 
both  had  thought  their  safety  ensured,  the  warm  currents  of  the 
air  swept  a  forked  tongue  of  flame  across  the  pile,  which  lighted 
at  the  touch  :  and  when  they  reached  the  spot,  the  flying  pair 
were  opposed  by  the  surly  roaring  of  a  body  ot  fire,  as  if  a  furnaci- 
were  glowing  in  their  path.  They  recoiled  from  the  heat,  and 
stood  on  a  point  of  the  rcyk,  gazing  in  a  stupor  at  the  flames, 
which  vere  spreading  rapidl. '  down  the  mountain,  whoso  §Ho 


842  fHE  PIONEERS. 

soon  became  a  sheet  of  living  fire.  It  was  dangerous  for  one  elaJ 
in  the  light  and  airy  dress  of  Elizabeth  to  approach  even  the 
vicinity  of  the  raging  element ;  and  those  flowing  robes,  that 
cave  such  softness  and  grace  to  her  form,  seemed  now  to  be  formed 
for  the  instruments  of  her  destruction. 

The  villagers  were  accustomed  to  resort  to  that  hill  in  quest  of 
timber  and  fuel ;  in  procuring  which,  it  was  their  usage  to  take' 
only  the  bodies  of  the  trees,  leaving  the  tops  and  branches  to 
decay  under  the  operations  of  the  weather.  Much  of  the  hill 
was,  consequently,  covered  with  such  light  fuel,  which,  having 
been  scorching  under  the  sun  for  the  last  two  months,  was  ignited 
with  a  touch.  Indeed,  in  some  cases,  there  did  not  appear  to  be 
any  contact  between  the  fire  and  these  piles,  but  the  flames 
seemed  to  dart  from  heap  to  heap,  as  the  fabulous  fire  of  the 
temple  is  represented  to  relumine  its  neglected  lamp. 

There  was  beauty  as  well  as  terror  in  the  sight,  and  Edwards 
and  Elizabeth  stood  viewing  the  progress  of  the  desolation  with 
a  strange  mixture  of  horror  and  interest.  The  former,  however, 
shortly  roused  himself  to  new  exertion?,  and  drawing  his  com- 
panion after  him,  they  skirted  the  edge  of  the  smoke,  the  young 
man  penetrating  frequently  into  its  dense  volumes  in  search 
of  a  passage,  but  in  every  instance  without  success.  In  thia 
manner  they  proceeded  in  a  semicircle  around  the  upper  part  of 
the  terrace,  until,  arriving  at  the  verge  of  the  precipice,  opposite 
to  the  point  where  Edwards  had  ascended,  the  horrid  conviction 
burnt  on  both  at  the  same  instant,  that  they  were  completely 
encircled  by  the  fire.  So  long  as  a  single  pass  up  or  down  the 
mountain  was  unexplored,  there  was  nope ;  but  when  retreat 
beemed  to  be  absolutely  impracticable,  the  horror  of  their  situation 
broke  upon  Elizabeth  as  powerfully  as  if  she  had  hitherto  con- 
sidered the  danger  light 

•*'  This  mountain  is  doomed  to  be  fatal  to  me  1 "  she  whispered  ; 
— "  we  shall  find  our  graves  on  it ! " 

"  Say  not  so,  Miss  Temple  ;  there  is  yet  hope,"  returned  the 
youth,  in  the  same  tone,  while  the  vacant  expression  of  his  eye 
contradicted  his  words;  "let  us  return  to  the  point  of  the 
rock ;  there  is,  there  must  be,  some  place  about  it  where  we  can 
descend." 

"Lead  me  there,"  exclaimed  Elizabeth  ;  "let  us  leave  no  effort 
untried."  She  did  not  wait  for  his  compliance,  but  tutning, 
retraced  her  steps  to  the  brow  of  the  precipice,  murmuring  to 
herself  in  suppressed,  hysterical  •ebs,  "  My  father  1  my  poor,  my 
distracted  father  1 " 

Edwards  was  by  her  side  in  an  instant,  and  with  aching  eyes 
he  examined  every  fissure  in  the  crags,  in  quest  of  some  opening 
that  might  offer  the  facilities  of  flight.  But  the  smooth,  even 
^surface  of  the  rocks  afforded  hardly  a  resting  place  for  a  foot. 


THE  PIONEERS.  343 

much  less  those  continued  projections  which  would  have  bees 
necessary  for  a  descent  of  nearly  a  hundred  feet.  Edwards  was 
not  slow  in  feeling  the  conviction  that  this  hope  was  also  futile, 
and,  with  a  kind  of  feverish  despair  that  tstill  urged  him  to  action, 
he  turned  to  some  new  expedient. 

"There  is  nothing  left,  Miss  Temple,"  he  said,  "but  to  lower 
you  from  this  place  to  the  rock  beneath.  If  Natty  were  here,  or 
even  that  Indian  could  be  roused,  their  ingenuity  and  long 
practice  would  easily  devise  methods  to  do  it ;  but  I  am  a  Child, 
at  this  moment,  in  everything  but  daring.  Where  shall  I  find 
means  ?  This  dress  of  mine  is  so  light,  and  there  is  so  little  of 
it — then  the  blanket  of  Mohegan —  We  must  try — we  must 
try — anything  is  better  than  to  see  you  a  victim  to  such  a 
death!" 

"  And  what  will  become  of  you  ? "  said  Elizabeth.  "  Indeed, 
indeed,  neither  you  nbr  John  must  be  sacrificed  to  my  safety." 

He  heard  her  not,  for  he  was  already  by  the  side  of  Mohegan, 
who  yielded  his  blanket  without  a  question,  retaining  his  seat 
with  Indian  dignity  and  composure,  though  his  own  situation 
was  even  more  critical  than  that  of  the  others.  The  blanket  was 
cut  into  shreds,  and  the  fragments  fastened  together  ;  the  loose 
linen  jacket  of  the  youth,  and  the  light  muslin  shawl  of  Eliza- 
beth, were  attached  to  them,  and  the  whole  thrown  over  the 
rock;?,  with  the  rapidity  of  lightning  ;  but  the  united  pieces  did 
not  reach  half-way  to  the  bottom. 

"  It  will  not  do — it  will  not  do  I "  cried  Elizabeth  5  "  for  mo 
there  is  no  hope  !  The  fire  comes  slowly,  but  certainly.  See,  it 
destroys  the  very  earth  before  it ! " 

Had  the  flames  spread  on  that  rock  with  half  the  quickness 
with  which  they  leaped  from  bush  to  tree,  in  other  parts  of  the 
mountain,  our  painful  task  would  have  soon  ended ;  for  they 
would  have  consumed  already  the  captives  they  enclosed.  But 
the  peculiarity  of  their  situation  aftorded  Elizabeth  and  her 
companion  the  respite  of  which  they  had  availed  themselves  to 
make  the  efforts  we  have  recorded.  j 

The  thin  covering  of  earth  ou  the  rock  supported  but  a  scanty  ) 
and  faded  herbage,  and  most  of  the  trees  that  had  found  root  in 
the  fissures  had  already  died,  during  the  intense  heats  of  pre- 
ceding summers.  Those  which  still  retained  the  appearance  of 
life  bore  a  few  dry  and  withered  leaves,  while  the  others  were 
merely  the  wrecks  of  pines,  oaks,  and  maples.  No  better 
materials  to  feed  the  fire  could  be  found,  had  there  been  a  com- 
munication with  the  flames ;  but  the  ground  was  destitute  of 
the  brush  that  led  the  destructive  element,  like  a  torrent,  over 
the  remainder  of  the  hill.  As  auxiliary  to  this  scarcity  of  fuel, 
one  of  the  large  springs  which  abound  in  that  country  gushed 
out  of  the  side  of  the  ascent  above,  and,jifter  creeping  sluggishly 


344  THE  PIONEERS. 

along  the  level  land,  saturating  the  mossy  covering  of  the  rocfc 
with  moisture,  it  swept  round  the  base  of  the  little  cone  that 
formed  the  pinnacle  of  the  mountain,  and,  entering  the  canopy 
of  smoke  near  one  of  the  terminations  of  the  terrace,  found  its 
way  to  the  lake,  not  by  dashing  from  rock  to  rock,  but  by  the 
secret  channels  of  the  earth.  It  would  rise  to  the  surface,  here 
and  there,  in  the  wet  seasons,  but  in  the  droughts  of  summer  it 
was  to  be  traced  only  by  the  bogs  and  moss  that  announced  the 
proximity  of  water.  When  the  fire  reached  this  barrier,  it  wag 
compelled  to  .pause,  until  a  concentration  of  its  heat  could  over- 
come the  moisture,  like  an  army  waiting  the  operations  of  a 
battering  train,  to  open  its  way  to  desolation. 

^That  fatal  moment  seemed  now  to  have  arrived ;  for  the 
hissing  steams  of  the  spring  appeared  to  be  nearly  exhausted, 
and  the  moss  of  the  rocks  was  already  curling  under  the  intense 
heat,  while  fragments  of  bark,  that  yet  clung  to  the  dead  trees, 
began  to  separate  from  their  trunks,  and  fall  to  the  ground  in 
crumbling  masses.  The  air  seemed  quivering  with  rays  of  heat, 
which  might  be  seen  playing  along  the  parched  stems  of  the 
trees.  There  were  moi-ients  when  dark  clouds  of  smoke  would 
sweep  along  the  little  terrace ;  and,  as  the  eye  lost  its  power,  the 
other  senses  contributed  to  give  effect  to  the  fearful  horror  of 
the  scene.  A,t  such  moments,  the  roaring  of  the  flames,  the 
crackling  of  the  furious  element,  with  the  tearing  of  falling 
branches,  and,  occasionally,  the  thundering  echoes  of  some  falling 
tree,  united  to  alarm  the  victims.  Of  tne  three,  however,  the 
youth  appeared  Inuch  the  most  agitated.  Elizabeth,  having 
relinquisned  entirely  the  idea  o£  escape,  was  fast  obtaining  that 
resigned  composure  with  which  the  most  delicate  of  her  sex  are 
sometimes  known  to  meet  unavoidable  evils  ;  while  Mohegan, 
who  was  much  nearer  to  the  danger,  maintained  his  seat  with 
the  invincible  resignation  of  an  Indian  warrior.  Once  or  twice 
tfte  eye  of  the  aged  chief,  which  was  ordinarily  fixed  in  the 
direction  of  the  distant  hills,  turned  towards  the  young  pair, 
who^aeemed  ^doomed  to  so  early  a  death,  with  a  slight  indication 
of  pity  crossing  his  composed  features,  but  it  would  immediately 
revert  again  to  .its  former  gaze,'  as  if  already  looking  into  the 
womb  01  futurity.  Much  of  the  time  he  was  chanting  a  kind  of 
low  dirge,  in  the  Delaware  tongue,  using  the  deep  and  remark- 
aWy  guttural  tones  of  his  people. 

"At  such  a  moment,  Mr.  Edwards,  all  earthly  distinctions 
end,"  whispered  Elizabeth;  "persuade  John  to  move  nearer  to 
us — let  us  die  together." 

"  I  cannot — he  will  not  stir,"  returned  the  youth,  in  the  same 
horridly  still  tones.  "  He  considers  this  as  the  happiest  moment 
of  his  life.  He  is  past  seventy,  and  has  been  decaving  rapidly 
fojf  some  time  j  he  received  aome_injury  in  chasing  that  unlucky 


THE  PIONEER  34A 

deer,  too,  on  the  Like.  Oh  1  Miss  Temple^  that  was  an  unlucky 
chase  indeed  1  it  has  led,  I  fear,  to  this  awful  scene." 

The  smile  of  Elizabeth  was  celestial :  "  Why  name  such  a 
trifle  now— at  this  moment  the  heart  is  dead  to  all  earthlr 
emotions  I " 

"  If  anything  could  reconcile  a  man  to  this  death,"  cried  the 
youth,  "  it  would  be  to  meet  it  in  such  company  ! " 

"  Talk  not  so,  Edwards,  talk  not  BO,"  interrupted  Miss  Temple, 
•'  I  am  unworthy  of  it ;  and  it  is  unjust  to  yourself.  We  must 
die  ;  yes — yes — we  must  die — it  is  the  will  of  God,  and  let  u» 
endeavour  to  submit  like  His  own  children." 

"  Die  ! "  the  youth  rather  shrieked  than  exclaimed,  "  No — nc 
— thc^p  must  yet  be  hope — you  at  least  must  not,  shall  not  die." 

"  In  what  way  can  we  escape  ? "  asked  Elizabeth,  pointing, 
with  a  look  of  heavenly  composure,  towards  the  fire.  "  Observe  ! 
the  flame  ia  crossing  the  barrier  of  wet  ground — it  comes  slowly, 
Edwards,  but  surely.-  -Ah  !  see  1  the  tree  !  the  tree  is  already 
lighted  I" 

Her  words  were  too  true.  The  heat  of  the  conflagration  had, 
at  length,  overcome  the  resistance  of  the  spring,  and  the  fire  was 
slowly  stealing  along  the  half-dried'  moss ;  while  a  dead  pine 
kindled  with  the  touch  of  a  forked  flame,  that,  for  a  moment, 
wreathed  around  the  stem  of  the  tree,  as  it  whirled,  in  one  of 
its  evolutions,  under  the  influence  of  the  air.  The  effect  wag 
instantaneous.  The  flames  danced  along  the  parched  trunk  of 
the  pine,  like  lightning  quivering  on  a  chain,  and  immediately 
a  column  of  living  fire  was  raging  on  the  terrace.  It  soon  spread 
from  tree  to  tree  ;  and  the  scene  was  evidently  drawing  to  a 
close.  The  Jog  on  which  Mohegan  was  seated  lighted  at  its  Farther 
end,  and  tne  Indian  appeared  to  be  surrounded  by  fire.  Still  he 
was  unmoved.  As  his  body  was  unprotected,  his  sufferings 
must  have  been  great ;  but  his  fortitude  was  superior  to  all. 
His  voice  could  yet  be  heard,  even  in  the  midst  of  these  horrors. 
Elizabeth  turned  her  head  from  the  sight,  and  faced  the  valley. 
Furious  eddies  of  wind  were  created  by  the  heat,  and  just  at  the 
moment,  the  canopy  of  fiery  smoke  that  overhung  the  valley  was 
cleared  away,  leaving  a  distinct  view  of  the  peaceful  village 
beneath  them. 

"My  father  1— my  father!"  shrieked  Elizabeth.  "Oh!  this 
—this  surely  might  have  been  spared  me — but  I  submit." 

The  distance  was  not  so  great  but  the  figure  of  Judge  Temple 
r-ould  be  seen,  standing  in  his  own  grounds,  and  apparently 
f  5>n tern  plating,  in  perfect  unconsciousness  of  the  danger  of  his 
child,  the  mountain  in  flames.  This  sight  was  still  more  painful 
than  the  approaching  danger ;  and  Elizabeth  again  faced  thff 
hill. 

"Mjr  intemperate  warmth  has  done  thisl"  cried  Edwards, 


fc-lG  THE  PIONEERS. 

in  the  accents  of  despair.  "  If  I  had  possessed  but  a  moiety  of 
your  heavenly  resignation,  Miss  Temple,  all  might  yet  have  been 
well." 

"Name  it  not — name  it  not,"  she  said.  "It  is  now  of  no 
avail.  "We  must  die,  Edwards,  we  must  die— let  us  do  so  as 
Christians.  But  —  no  —  you  may  yet  escape,  perhaps.  •  Your 
dress  is  not  eo  fatal  as  mine.  Fly  1  leave  me.  An  opening 
may  yet  be  found  for  you,  possibly — certainly  it  is  worth  the 
effort.  Fly  1  leave  me — but  stay  I  You  will  see  my  father ;  my 
poor,  my  bereaved  father  I  Say  to  him,  then,  Edwards,  say  to  him 
all  that  can  appease  his  anguish.  Tell  him  that  I  died  happy 
and  collected  ;  that  I  have  gone  to  my  beloved  mother ;  that  the 
hours  of  this  life  are  as  nothing  when  balanced  in  the  scales  of 
eternity.  Say  how  we  shall  meet  again.  And  say,"  she  con- 
tinued, dropping  her  voice,  that  had  risen  with  her  feelings,  as -if 
conscious  of  her  worldly  weaknesses,  "  how  dear,  how  very  dear, 
was  my  love  for  him  j  that  it  was  near,  too  near,  to  my  love  for 
God." 

The  youth  listened  to  her  touching  accents,  but  moved  not. 
In  a  moment  he  found  utterance,  and  replied, — 

"  And  is  it  me  that  you  command  to  leave  you  on  the  edge  of 
the  grave  1  Oh  1  Miss  Temple,  how  little  you  have  known  me  1 " 
he  cried,  dropping  on  his  knees  at  her  feet,  and  gathering  her 
flowing  robe  in  his  arms,  as  if  to  shield  her  from  the  flames.  "  I 
have  been  driven  to  the  woods  in  despair  ;  but  your  society  has 
tamed  the  lion  within  me.  If  I  have  wasted  my  time  in  degra- 
dation, 'twas  you  that  charmed  me  to  it.  If  I  have  forgotten  my 
name  and  family,  your  form  supplied  the  place  of  memory.  If 
I  have  forgotten  my  wrongs,  'twas  you  that  taught  me  charity. 
No — no— dearest  Elizabeth,  I  may  die  with  you,  but  I  can  never 
leave  you  1 " 

Elizabeth  moved  not,  nor  answered.  It  was  plain  that  her 
thoughts  had  been  raised  from  the  earth.  The  recollection  ofr 
her  father,  and  her  regrets  at  their  separation,  had  been  mellowed 
by  a  holy  sentiment  that  lifted  her  above  the  level  of  earthly 
things,  and  she  was  fast  losing  the  weakness  of  her  sex  in  the 
near  view  of  eternity.  But  as  she  listened  to  these  words,  she 
became  once  more  woman.  She  struggled  against  these  feelings, 
and  smiled,  as  she  thought  she  was  shaking  off  the  last  lingering 
feeling  of  nature,  when  the  world  and  all  its  seductions  rushed 
again  to  her  heart,  with  the  sounds  of  a  human  voice,  crying  in 
piercing  tones, — 

"  Gal  1  where  be  ye,  gal  ?  gladden  the  heart  of  an  old  man,  if 
ye  yet  belong  to  'arth  I " 

"List I"  said  Elizabeth,  "'tis  the  Leather-stocking;  he  seeks 
mat" 

*"Tis  Natty  I "  shouted  Edwards,  "and  we  may  yet  be  saved  1 " 


THE  PIONEERS.  347 

A  Trifle  and  circling  flame  Blared  on  their  eyes  for  a  moment, 
even  above  the  fire  of  the  woods,  and  a  loud  report  followed. 

"  Tis  the  canister  I  'tis  the  povder,"  cried  the  pame  voice, 
evidently  approaching  them.  "5Tis  the  canister,  and  the  precious 
'child  is  lost  I " 

At  the  next  instant  Natty  rushed  through  th'e  steams  of  tho 
spring,  and  appeared  on  the  terrace,  without  his  deerskin  cap, 
his  hair  burnt  to  his  head,  his  phirt,  of  country  check,  black  and 
filled  with  holes,  and  his  red  features  of  a  deeper  colour  th?" 
ever,  by  the  heat  he  had  cncoimtered. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII, 

Even  from  tho  land  of  shadows,  now, 
My  father's  awful  ghost  appears. 

GcrtnuU  of  Wyoming. 

FOR  an  hour  after  Louisa  Grant  was  left  by  Miss  Temple  in  the 
situation  already  mentioned,  she  continued  in  feverish  anxiety, 
awaiting  the  return  of  her  friend.  But  as  the  time  passed  by 
without  the  reappearance  of  Elizabeth,  the  terror  of  Louisa 
gradually  increased,  until  her  alarmed  fancy  had  conjured  every 
species  of  danger  that  appertained  to  the  woods,  excepting  the 
one  that  really  existed.  The  heavens  had  become  obscured  by 
degrees,  and'  vast  volumes  of  smoke  were  pouring  over  the 
valley  ;  but  the  thoughts  of  Louisa  were  still  recurring  to  beasts, 
without  dreaming  of  the  real  cause  for  apprehension.  She  was 
stationed  in  the  edge  of  tho  low  pines  and  chestnuts  that  succeed 
the  first  or  large  growth  of  the  forest,  and  directly  above  the 
angle  where  the  highway  turned  from  the  straight  course  to  the 
village,  and  ascended  the  mountain,  laterally.  Consequently, 
she  commanded  a  view  not  only  of  the  valley,  but  of  the  road 
beneath  her.  The  few  travellers  that  passed,  she  observed,  were 
engaged  in  earnest  conversation,  and  frequently  raised  their  eyes 
to  the  hill,  and  at  length  she  saw  the  people  leaving  the  court- 
house, and  gazing  upward  also.  While  undef  the  influence  of 
the  alarm  excited  by  such  unusual  movements,  reluctant  to  go, 
ami  yet  fearful  to  remain,  Louisa  was  startled  by  the  IOAV,  crack- 
ing but  cautious  treads  of  some  one  approaching  through  the 
bushes.  She  was  on  the  eve  of  flight,  when  Natty  emerged  from 
the  cover,  and  stood  -at  her  side.  The  old  man  laughed  as  he 
phook  her  kindly  by  a  hand  that  was  passive  with  foar. 

"  I  am  glad  to  meet  you  here,  child,"  he  said  ;  "  for  the  back 
of  the  mountain  is  a-firc,  and  it  would  be  dangerous  to  go  up  it 
now,  till  it  had  been  burnt  over  once,  and  the  dead  wood  is  gone. 
There's  a  foolish  man,  the  comrade  of  that  varmint  who  has 
given  me  all  this  trouble,  digging  for  ore  on  the  cast  side.  I  told 
him  that  the  kearless  fellows,  who  thought  to  catch  a  practys'd 
hunter  in  the  woods  after  dark,  had  thrown  the  lighted  pino 
knots  in  the  brush,  and  that  'twould  kindle  like  tow,  and  warned 
'him  to  leave  the  bill  But  he  was  set  upon  his  business,  and 

•M 


THE  FIONFEKS.  349 

and  nothing  short  of  Providence  could  move  him.  If  he  isn't 
burnt  and  buried  in  a  grave  of  his  own  digging,  he's  made  of 
salamanders.  Why,  what  ails  the  child  1  you  look  as  skeary  as 
if  you  see'd  more  painters  1  I  wish  there  were  more  to  be  found; 
they'd  count  up  faster  than  the  beaver.  But  where's  the  pood  child 
of  the  bad  father  ?  did  she  forget  her  promise  to  the  old  rrmn  ?" 

"The  hill!  the  hill!"  shrieked  Louisa;  "f>he  seeks  you  on 
the  hill  with  the  powder  !  " 

Natty  recoiled  several  feet  at  this  unexpected  intelligence. 

"  The  Lord  of  Heaven  have  mercy  on  her !  She's  on  the 
Vision,  and  that's  a  sheet  of  fire  ag'in  this.  Child,  if  jou  love  tho 
dear  one,  and  hope  to  find  a  friend  when  you  need  it  most,  to  the 
village,  and  give  the  alarm.  The  men  are  us'tl  to  fighting  fire, 
and  there  may  be  a  chance  left.  Fly  !  I  bid  ye  fly  !  nor  stop 
even  for  breath." 

The  Leather- stocking  had  no  sooner  uttered  this  injunction, 
than  he  disappeared  in  the  bushes,  and,  when  la->t  soon  by  Louisa, 
was  rushing  up  the  mountain  with  a  speed  that  none  but  those 
who  were  accustomed  to  the  toil  could  attain. 

"Have  I  found  ye?"  the  old  man  exclaimed,  when  lie  burst 
out  of  the  smoke  ;  "  God  be  praised  that  I've  found  ye ;  but 
follow, — there  is  no  time  for  talking." 

"My  dress  ! "  said  Elizabeth  ;  "it  would  be  fatal  to  trust  my- 
self nearer  to  the  flames  in  it." 

"  I  bethought  me  of  your  flimsy  things,"  criod  Natty,  throwing 
loose  the  folds  of  a  covering  of  buckskin  that  he  cairicd  on*  his 
arm,  and  wrapping  her  form  in  it,  in  such  a  manner  .is  to  envelop 
her  whole  person  ;  "  now  follow,  for  it's  a  matter  of  life  and  death 
to  u<*  all." 

"But  John  1.  what  will  become  of  John?"  cried  Edwards; 
"can  we  leave  the  old  warrior  here  to  perish  ?" 

The  eyes  of  Natty  followed  the  direction  of  Edwards'  finger, 
when  he  beheld  the  Indian,  ftill  seated  as  before,  \vith  the  very 
earth  under  his  feot  consuming  with  fire.  Without  delay  the 
hunter  approadied  the  spot,  and  ppoke  in  Delaware, — 

"  Up  and  away,  Chingachgook  !  will  ye  stay  here  to  burn,  like 
a  Mango  at  the  stake  ?  The  Moravians  have  teached  ye  better,  I 
hope-,  the  Lord  preserve  me  if  the  powder  hasn't  flashed  atwecn 
hi*  legs,  and  the  skin  of  his  back  is  roasting.  Will  ye  come, 
1  (=ay  ?  will  ye  fallow  ? " 

"Why  should  Mohegan  go?"  returned  the  Indian  gloomily. 
"  He  has  seen  the  days  of  an  eagle,  and  his  eye  grows  dim.  Ho 
-looks  on  the  valley; 'he  looks  on  the  water;  he  looks  in  the 
hunting-grounds — out  he  sees  no  Delaware?.  Every  one  has  a 
white  skin.  My  fathers  say,  from  the  far-off  land,  Ccme.  My 
women,  my  young  warriors,  my  tribe,  say,  Come.  The  Great 
Spirit  says,  Come.  Let  Mohegan  die." 


S50  THE  PIOXEEES. 

"But  you  forget  your  friend,"  cried  Edwards. 

"  "Tis  useless  to  talk  to  an  Indian  with  the  death-fit  on  him. 
lad,"  interrupted  Natty,  who  seized  the  strips  of  the  blanket,  and 
with  wonderful  dexterity  strapped  the  passive  chieftain  to  his 
own  back  ;  when  he  turned,  and  with  a  strength  that  seemed  to 
bid  defiance  not  only  to  his  years,  but  to  his  load,  he  led  the  way 
to  the  point  whence  he  had  issued.  As  they  crossed  the  little 
terrace  of  rock,  one  of  the  dead  trees,  that  had  been  tottering  for 
several  minutes,  fell  on"  the  spot  where  they  had  stood,  and  tilled 
the  air  with  its  cinders. 

Such  an  event  quickened  the  steps  of  the  party,  who  followed 
the  Leather-stocking  with  the  urgency  required  by  the  occasion. 

"Tread  on  the  soft  ground,,"  lie  cried,  Tvhcn  they  were  in  a 
gloom  where  right  availed  them  but  little,  "and  keep  in  the 
white  smoke ;  keep  the  skin  close  to  her,  lad ;  shc'a  a  precious 
one,  another  will  be  hard  to  be  found." 

Obedient  to  the  hunter's  directions,  they  followed  his  steps'and 
advice  implicitly ;  and  although  the  narrow  passage  along  the 
winding  of  the  spring  led  amid  burning  logs  and  falling  branches, 
they  happily  achieved  it  in  safety.  No  one  but  a  man  long 
accustomed  to  the  woods  could  have  traced  his  route  through  a 
smoke  in  which  respiration  was  difficult  and  sight -nearly  use- 
less ;  but  the  experience  of  Natty  conducted  them  to  an  opening 
through  the  rocks,  where,  with  little  difficulty,  they  soon 
descended  to  another  terrace,  and  emerged  at  once  into  a  tolerably 
clear  atmosphere* 

The  feelings  of  Edwards  and  Elizabeth  at  reaching  this  spot 
may  be  imagined,  though  not  easily  described.  No  one  seemed 
to  exult  more  than  their  guide,  who  turned,  with  Mohegan  still 
lashed  to  his  back,  and  laughing  in  his  own  manner,  said, — 

"  I  know'd  'twas  the  Frenchman's  powder,  gal ;  it  went  so 
altogether ;  your  coarse  grain  will  squib  for  a  minute.  The 
Iroquois  had  none  of  the  best  powder  when  I  went  ag"in  the 
Canada  tribes,  under  Sir  William.  Did  I  ever  tell  you  the  story, 
lad,  consarning  the  scrimmage  with  " — 

"For  God's  sake  tell  me  nothing  now,  Natty,  until  we  are 
entirely  safe.  Where  shall  we  go  next  ? " 

"  Why,  on  the  platform  of  rock  over  the  cave,  to  be  sure ;  J  ^u 
will  be  safe  enough  there,  or  we'll  go  into  it)  if  you  be  so 
minded." 

The  young  man  started,  and  appeared  agitated ;  but  looking 
around  him  with  an  anxious  eye,  said  quickly, — 

"Shall  we  be  safe  on  the  rock  ?  cannot  the  fire  reach  us  there, 
too?" 

"Can't  the  boy  see?"  said  Natty,  with  the  coolness  of  ouo 
accustomed  to  tue  kind  of  danger  he  had  just  encountered 
"Had  ye  stayed  in  the  place  above  ten  minutes  longer,  you 


THE  PIONEERS.  3M 

would  both  have  been  in  ashes,  but  here  you  may  stay  for  ever, 
and  no  fire  can  touch  you,  until  they  burn  the  rocks  as  well  a* 
the  woods." 

With  this  assurance,  which  was  obviously  true,  they  proceeded 
to  the  spot;  and  Natty  deposited  his  load,  placing  ie  Indian  on 
the  ground  with  his  back  against  a  fragment  of  the  rocks. 
Elizabeth  sank  on  the  ground,  and  buried  her  face  in  her  hands, 
while  her  heart  was  swelling  with  a  variety  of  conflictieg 
einptions. 

"Let  me  urge  you  to  take"  a  restorative,  Miss  Temple,"  Baid 
Edwards  respectfully  ;  "  your  frame  will  sink  else." 

"Leave,  leave  me,"  she  said,  raising  her  beaming  eyes  for  a 
moment  to  his ;  "  I  feel  too  much  for  words  1  I  am  grateful, 
Ohvcr,  for  this  miraculous  escape  ;  and  next  to  my  God  to  you." 

Edwards  withdrew  to  the  edge  of  the  rock,  and  shouted, — 
"  Benjamin  !  where  are  you,  Benjamin  ? " 

A  hoarse  voice  replied,  as  if  from  the  bowels  of  the  earth, 
"  Hereaway,  master ;  stowed  in  this  here  bit  of  a  hole,  which  is 
all  the  same  as  hot  as  the  cook's  coppers.  I'm  tired  of  my  berth, 
'1'ye  see,  and  if  so  be  that  Leather-stocking  has  got  much  oyer- 
ha^lmg  to  do  before  he  sails  after  them  said  beaver,  I'll  go  into 
dock  agam,  and  ride  out  my  quarantine  till  I  can  get  prottick 
from  the  law,  and  so  hold  on  upon  the  rest  of  my  'spaniolas.'' 

!:B:-ng  up  a  glass  of  water  from  the  spring,"  continued 
E^l\\ards,  "and  throw  a  little  wine  in  it;  iiasten,  I  entreat 
you." 

"  I  knows  but  little  of  your  small  drink,  master  Oliver,"  returned 
the  steward,  his  voice  issuing  out  of  the  cave  into  the  open  air, 
'  and  the  Jamaiky  held  out  no  longer  than  to  take  a  parting  kiss 
with  Billy  Kirby,  when  he  anchored  me  alongside  the  highway 
last  night,  where  you  run  me  down  in  the  chase.  But  here  a 
fcum'mat  of  a  red  colour  that  may  suit  a  weak  stomach,  mayhap. 
That  master  Kirby  is  no  first-rate  in  a  boat ;  but  he'll  take  a  cart 
among  the  stumps,  all  the  same  as  a  Lon'on  pilot  will  back  and 
fill  through  the  colliers  in  the  Pool." 

As  the  steward  ascended  while  talking,  by  the  time  he  had 
ended  his  speech  he  appeared  on  the  rock,  with  the  desired 
restorative,  exhibiting  the  worn-out  and  bloated  features  of  a 
man  who  had  run  deep  in  a  debauch,  and  that  lately. 

Elizabeth  took  from  the  hand  of  Edwards  the  liquor  which  ho 
offered,  and  then  motioned  to  be  left  again  to  herself. 

The  youth  turned  at  her  bidding,  and  observed  Natty  kindly 
assiduous  around  the  person  of  Mohegan.  When  their  eyes  met, 
tfte  hunter  said  sorrowfully, — 

"His  time  has  come,  lad  ;  I  see  it  in  his  eyes ;— when  an  Indian 
fixes  his  eye,  he  means  to  go  but  to  one  place  ;  and  what  the 
wilful  creaters  put  their  minds  on,  they're  sure  to  do.'' 


352  THE  PIONEERS. 

A  quick  tread  prevented  the  reply,  and  in  a  fe\v  moments,  to 
the  amazement  of  the  whole  party,  Mr.  Grant  was  seen  clinging 
to  the  side  of  the  mountain,  and  striving  to  reach  the  placo 
where  they  stood.  Oliver  sprang  to  his  assistance,  and  by  their 
united  efforts  the  worthy  divine  was  soon  placed  safely  among 
them. 

"  How. came  you  added  to  our  number  ? "  cried  Edwards.  "  Is 
the  hill  alive  with  people  at  a  lime  like  this  ?" 

The  hasty  but  pious  thanksgivings  of  the  clergyman  \rer-3 
soon  ejaculated ;  and  when  he  succeeded  in  collecting  his 
bewildered  senses,  he  replied, — 

"  I  heard  that  m/  child  was  seen  coming  to  the  mountain ;  and 
when  the  fire  broke  over  its  summit,  my  uneasiness  drew  me  up 
the  road,  where  I  found  Louisa,  in  terror  for  Miss  Temple.  It 
was  to  seek  her  that  I  came  into  this  dangerous  place  ;  find  t 
think  but  for  God's  mercy,  through  the  clogs  of  Natty,  I  should 
have  perished  in  the  flames  myself." 

"Ay  I  follow  the  hound",  and  if  there's  an  opening  they'll  scent 
it  out,"  said  Natty ;  "  their  noses  be  given  them  the  same  as 
man's  reason." 

"  I  did  so,  and  they  led  me  to  this  place  :  but,  praise  be  to  God, 
that  I  see  you  all  safe  and  welL" 

"  No,  no,"  returned  the  hunter ;  "  eafe  we  be,  but  as  for  well, 
John  can't  be  called  in  a  good  way,  unless  you'll  say  that  for  a 
man  that's  taking  his  last  look  at  'arth." 

"  He  speaks  the  truth ! "  said  the  divine,  with  the  lioly  awe 
with  which  ho  ever  approached  the  dying; — "I  have  been  by 
too  many  death-beds,  not  to  see  that  the  hand  of  the  tyrant  is  laid 
on  this  old  warrior.  Oh  !  how  consoling  it  is  to  know  that  he  has 
not  rejected  the  offered  mercy  in  the  hour  of  his  strength  and  of 
worldly  temptations  !  The  offspring  of  a  race  of  heathens,  he  has 
in  truth  been  'as  a  brand  plucked  from  the  burning.'" 

"  No,  no,"  returned  Natty,  who  alone  stood  with  him  by  the 
side  of  the  dying  warrior,  "  it's  no  burning  that  ails  him,  though 
his  Indian  feelings  made  him  scorn  to  move,  unless  it  be  the 
burning  of  man's  wicked  thoughts  for  near  fourscore  years ;  but 
it's  nater  giving  out  in  a  chase  thatfs  run  too  long.  Down  wifi 
ye,  Hector!  down,  I  say  ! — Flesh  isn't  iron,  that  a  man  can  live  for 
ever,  and  FCC  his  kith  and  kin  driven  to  a  far  country,  and  he  left 
to  mourn,  with  none  to  keep  him  company." 

"John,"  said  the  divine  tenderly,  "do  you  hear  me?  do  YOU 
wish  the  prayers  appointed  by  the  Church,  at  this  trvmg 
moment  ? " 

The  Indian  turned  his  ghastly  face  to  the  speaker,  said  fastened 
his  dark  eyes  on  him,  steadily  but  vacantly.  No  sign  si 
recognition  was  made ;  and  in  a  moment  he  moved  his  head 
again  slowly  towards  the  valo,  and  begaA  to  sing,  using  his  own 


THE  PIONEERS.  863 

language,  in  those  low,  guttural  tones  that  have  teen  so  often 
mentioned,  his  notes  rising  with  his  theme,  till  they  swelled  so 
loud  as  to  be  distinct. 

"  I  will  come  !  I  will  come  !  to  the  land  of  the  just  I  will 
come  1  The  Maquas  I  have  slain  ! — I  have  slain  the  Maquas  1 
and  the  Great  Spirit  calls  to  his  son.  I  will  come  I  I  will  come  I 
to  the  land  of  the  just  I  will  come  ! " 

"  What  says  he,  Leather-stocking  ? "  inquired  the  priest,  with 
tender  interest ;  "sings  he  the  Ecdeemer's  praise?" 

"  No,  no, — 'tis  his  own  praise  that  he  speaks  now,"  said  Natty, 
turning  in  a  melancholy  manner  from  the  sight  of  his  dying 
friend  ;  "  and  a  good  right  he  has  to  say  it  all,  for  I  know  every 
word  to  be  true." 

"  May  Heave"  avert  such  self-righteousness  from  his  heart  1 
Humility  and  penitence  are  the  seals  of  Christianity  ;  and  with- 
out feeling  them  deeply  seated  in  the  soul,  all  hope  is  delusive, 
and  leads  to  vain  expectations.  Praise  himself !  when  his  whole 
soul  and  body  should  unite  to  praise  his  Maker  I  John  I  you 
have  enjoyed  the  blessings  of  a  gospel  ministry,  and  have  been 
called  from  out  a  multitude  of  sinners  and  pagans,  and,  I  trust, 
for  a  wise  and  gracious  purpose.  Do  you  now  feel  what  it  is  to 
be  justified  by  our  Saviour's  death,  and  reject  all  weak  and  idle- 
dependence  on  good  works,  that  spring  from  man's  pride  and 
vainglory  ? " 

The  Indian  did  not  regaid  his  interrogator,  but  he  raised  his 
head  again  and  said  in  a  low,  distinct  voice, — 

"Who  can  say  that  the  Maquas  know  the  back  of  Mohegan  ? 
What  enemy  that  trusted  iu  him  did  not  see  the  morning? 
What  Mingo  that  he  chased  ever  sung  the  song  of  triumph? 
Did  Mohegan  ever  he  ?  No  ;  the  truth  lived  in  him,  and  none 
else  could  come  out  of  him.  In  hid  youth  he  was  a  warrior,  and 
his  mocassins  left  the  &tam  of  blood.  In  his  age  he  was  wise  ; 
his  words  at  the  council  fire  did  not  blow  away  with  the  winds." 

"Ah  !  he  has  abandoned  that  vain  relic  of  paganism,  his  songs," 
cried  the  good  divine; — "what  says  he  now?  is  he  sensible  of 
his  lost  state  ?  " 

"Lord!  man,"  eaid  Natty,  "he  knows  his  end  is  at  hand  as 
-veil  3.3  you  or  I,  but,  so  far  from  thinking  it  a  loss,  he  believes  it 
to  be  a  gceat  gain.  He  is  old  and  stiif,  and  you  have  made  the 
game  so  scearce  and  shy,  that  better  shots  than  him  find  it  hard 
to  get  a  livelihood.  Now  he  thinks  he  shall  travel  where  it  will 
always  be  good  hunting  ;  where  no  wicked  or  unjust  Indiana  can 
go  ;  and  where  he  shall  meet  all  his  tribe  together  ag'm.  There's 
not  much  loss  in  that  to  a  man  whose  hands  are  hardly  fit  foi 
basket-making.  Loss  !  if  there  be  any  loss,  'twill  be  to  me.  I'm 
sure,  after  he^  gone,  there  will  be  but  little  left  for  mo  but  tu 
follow  " 


384  THE  flONEEBS. 

"  His  example  and  end,  which,  I  humbly  trust,  shall  yet  bo 
made  glorious,  returned  Mr.  Grant,  "  should  lead  your  mind  to 
dwell  on  the  things  of  another  life.  But  I  feel  it  to  be  my  duty 
to  smooth  the  way  for  the  parting  spirit.  This  is  the  moment, 
John,  when  the  reflection  that  you  did  not  reject  the  mediation 
of  the  Redeemer,  will  bring  balm  to  your  soul.  Trust  not  to  any 
act  of  former  days,  but  lay  the  burden  of  your  sins  at  His  feet, 
and  you  have  His  own  blessed  assurance  that  He  will  not  desert 
you/ 

"  Though  all  you  say  be  true,  and  you  have  Scripter  gospele 
for  it,  too,"  said  Natty,  "  you  mil  make  nothing  of  the  Indian. 
.He  hasn't  seen  a  Moravian  priest  sin'  the  war ;  and  it's  hard  to 
keep  them  from  going  back  to  their  native  ways.  I  should  think 
'twould  be  as  well  to  let  the  old  man  pass  in  peace.  He's  happy 
now  ;  I  know  it  by  his  eye  ;  and  that's  more  than  I  would  any 
for  the  chief,  sin'  the  time  the  Dela wares  broke  up  from  the 
head-waters  of  their  river,  and  went  west.  Ah's  me  !  'tis  u 
grievous  long  time  that,  and  many  dark  days  have  we  seen  to- 
gether sin'  it." 

"  Hawk-eye  ! "  said  Mohegan,  rousing  with  the  last  glimmering 
of  life.  "  Hawk-eye  1  listen  to  the  words  of  your  brother." 

"Yes^  John,"  said  the  hunter  in  English,  strongly  affected  by 
the  appeal,  and  drawing  to  his  side  ;  u  we  have  been  brothers  ; 
and  more  so  than  it  means  in  the  Indian  tongue.  What  would 
ye  have  with  me,  Chingachgook  ? " 

"  Hawk-eye  !  my  fathers  call  me  to  the  happy  hunting-grounds. 
The  path  is  clear,  and  the  eyes  of  Mohegan  grow  young.  I  look 
— but  I  see  no  while-skins  ;  there  are  none  to  be  seen  but  juit 
and  brave  Indians.  Farewell,  Hawk-eye — you  shall  go  with  thu 
Fire-eater  and  the  Young  Eagle  to  the  white  man's  heaven  ;  but 
I  go  after  my  lathers.  Let  the  bow,  and  tomahawk,  and  pipe, 
and  the  wampum  of  Mohegan  be  laid  in  his  grave  ;  for  when  he 
starts  'twill  be  in  the  night,  like  a  warrior  on  a  war-party,  and 
he  cannot  stop  to  seek  them." 

"  What  says  he,  Nathaniel  ? "  cried  Mr.  Grant  earnestly,  and 
with  obvious  anxiety  ;  "does  he  recall  the  promises  of  the  media- 
tion ?  and  trust  his  salvation  to  the  Rock  of  Ages  ?" 

Although  the  faith  of  the  hunter  was  by  no  means  clear,  yet 
the  fruits  of  early  instruction  had  not  entirely  fallen  in  the 
wilderness.  He  believed  in  one  God,  'and  one  heavem ;  and 
when  the  strong  feeling  excited  by  the  leave-taking  of  his  old 
companion,  which  was  exhibited  by  the  powerful  working  of 
every  muscle  in  his  weather-beaten  face,  suffered  him  to  speak, 
he  replied, — 

"  No — no— he  trusts  only  to  the  Great  Spirit  of  the  savages, 
and  to  his  own  good  deeds.  He  thinks,  like  all  his  people,  that 
ho  16  to  be  young  ag*in,  and  to  hunt,  and  be  happy  to  the  end  of 


THE  PIONEERS.  '  363 

eternity.  It's  pretty  much  the  same  with  all  colours,  parson.  I 
could  never  bring  myself  to  think  that  I  shall  meet  with  these 
hounds  or  my  piece  in  another  world  ;  though  the  thoughta  of 
leaving  them  for  ever  sometimes  brings  hard  feelings  over  me, 
and  makes  me  cling  to  life  with  a  greater  craving  than  beseems 
threescore  and  ten." 

"  The  Lord  in  His  mercy  avei-t  such  a  death  from  one  who  lias 
been  sealed  with  the  sign  of  the  cross  I "  cried  the  minister,  in 
holy  fervour.  "  John  " — 

He  paused  for  the  elements.  During  the  period  occupied  by 
the  events  which  we  have  related,  the  dark  clouds  in  the  uorizou 
had  continued  to  increase  in  numbers  and  magnitude' ;  and  the 
awful  stillness  that  now  pcrvad.*!  the  air  announced  a  crisis  m 
the  state  of  the  atmosphere.  The  flames,  which  yet  continued  to 
rage  along  the  sides  of  the  mountain,  no  longer  whirled  in  the 
uncertain  currents  of  their  own  eddies,  but  blazed  high  and 
steadily  towards  the  heavens.  There  was'even  a  quietude  in  the 
ravages  of  the  destructive  element,  as  if  it  foresaw  that  a  hand, 
greater  than  even  its  own  desolating  power,  was  about  to  stay  its 
progress.  The  piles  of  smoke  which  lay  above  the  valley  began 
to  rise,  and  were  dispelling  rapidly  ;  and  streaks  of  vivid  lightning 
were  dancing  through  the  masses  of  clouds  that  impended  over 
the  western  hills.  While  Mr.  Grant  was  speaking,  a  flash,  which 
sent  its  quivering  light  through  the  gloom,  laying  bare  the  whole 
opposite  horizon,  was  followed  by  a  loud  crash  of  thunder,  that 
rolled  away  among  the  hills,  seeming  to  shake  the  foundations  of 
the  earth  to  their  centre.  Mohegan  raised  himself  as  if  in  obedi- 
ence to  a  signal  for  his  departure,  and  stretched  his  wasted  arm 
towards  the  west.  His  dark  face  lighted  with  a  look  of  joy, 
which,  with  all  other  expression,  gradually  disappeared  ;  the 
muscles  stiffening  as  they  retreated  to  a  state  of  rest ;  a  slight 
convulsion  played,  for  a  single  instant,  about  his  lips,  and  nis 
arm  slowly  dropped  by  his  side ;  leaving  the  frame  of  the  dead 
warrior  reposing  against  the  rock,  with  its  glassy  eyes  open,  and 
fixed  on  the  distant  hills,  as  if  the  deserted  shell  were  tracing  the 
flight  of  the  spirit  to  its  new  abode. 

All  this  Mr.  Grant  witnessed  in  silent  awe  ;  but  when  the  last 
echoes  of  the  thunder  died  away,  he  clasped  his  hands  together 
with  pious  energy,  and  repeated,  in  the  full,  rich  tones  of  assured 
faith, — 

"0  Lord!  how  unsearchable  are  Thy  judgments:  and  Thy 
ways  past  finding  out  1  '  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth,  and 
that  He  shall  stand  at  the  latter  day  upoa  the  earth  :  and  though 
after  my  skin,  worms  destroy  this  bodj,  yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I 
see  God  :  whom  I  shall  see  for  myself,  and  mine  eyes  shall  be- 
hold, and  not  ant" .lies.'" 

As  the  divi*ve  closed  this  burst  of  devotion,  he  bowed  his  head 


366  ti&  PIONEE&S. 

meekly  to  his  bosom,  and  looked  all  the  dependence  and  humility 
that  the  inspired  language  expressed. 

When  Mr.  Grant  retired  from  the  body,  the  hunter  approached, 
and,  taking  the  rigid  hand  of  his  friend,  looked  him  wistfully  in 
the  face  for  some  time  without  speaking,  when  he  gave  vent  to 
his  feelings  by  saying,  in  the  mournful  voice  of  one  who  felt 
deeply, — 

"Red  skin  or  white,  it's  all  over  now  1  He's  Jo  be  judged  by 
a  righteous  Judge,  and  by  no  laws  that's  made  to  suit  times  and 
new  ways.  Well,  there's  only  one  more  death,  and  the  world 
will  be  left  to  me  and  the  hounds.  Ah's  me  !  a  man  must  waft 
the  time  of  God's  pleasure,  but  I  begin  to  weary  of  life.  There 
is  scarcely  a  tree  standing  that  I  know,  and  its  hard  to  find  a 
face  that  I  was  acquainted  with  in  my  younger  days." 

Large  drops  of  rain  began  now  to  fall,  and  diffuse  themselves 
over  the  dry  rock,  while  the  approach  of  the  thunder  shower  was 
rapid  and  certain.  The  body  of  the  Indian  was  hastily  removed 
into  the  cave  beneath,  followed  by  the  whining  hounds,  who 
missed  and  moaned  for  the  look  of  intelligence  that  had  always 
met  their  salutations  to  the  chief. 

Edwards  made  some  hasty  and  confused  excuse  for  not  taking 
Elizabeth  into  the  same  place,  which  was  now  completely  closed 
in  front  with  logs  and  bark,  saying  something  that  she  hardly 
understood  about  its  darkness,  and  the  unpleasantness  of  being 
with  the  dead  body..  Miss  Temple,  however,  found  a  sufficient 
shelter  against  the  torrent  of  rain  that  fell,  under  the  projection 
of  a  rock  which  overhung  them.  But  long  before  the  shower 
was  over,  the  sounds  of  voices  were  heard  below  them  crying 
aloud  for  Elizabeth,  and  men  soon  appeared,  beating  the  dying 
embers  of  the  bushes,  as  they  worked  their  way  cautiously  arnonjj 
the.unextinguished  brands. 

At  the  first  short  cessation  in  the  rain,  Oliver  conducted  Eliza- 
beth to  the  road,  where  he  left  her.  Before  par-ting,  however,  ho 
found  time  to  say,  in  a  fervent  manner,  that  his  companion  was 
now  at  no  loss  to  interpret, — 

"The  moment  of  concealment  is  over,  Miss  Temple.  By  this 
time  to-morrow  I  shall  remove  a.  veil  that  perhaps  it  has  been 
weakness  to  keep  around  me  and  my  affairs  so  long.  But  I  havo 
had  romantic  and  foolish  wishes  and  weaknesses :  and  who  has 
not,  that  is  young  and  torn  by  conflicting  passions  ?  God  bless 
you  I  I  hear  your  father's  voice  ;  he  is  coming  up  the  road,  and 
I  would  not,  just  now,  subject  myself  to  detention.  Thank 
Heaven,  you  are  safe  again  ;  that  alone  removes  the  weight  of  a 
world  from  my  spirit ! " 

He  waited  for  no  answer,  but  sprang  into  the  woods.  Eliza- 
beth, notwithstanding  she  heard  the  cries  of  her  father  as  ho 
called  upon  her  name,  paused  unAil  he  was  concealed  among  the 


THE  PIONEER3.  357' 

smoking  trees,  when  she  turned,  and  in  a  moment  hushed  into 
the  arms  of  her  half-distracted  parent. 

A  carriage  had  been  provided,  into  which  Miss  Temple  hastily 
entered ;  when  the  cry  was  passed  along  the  hill  that  the  lost 
one  was  found,  and  the  people  returned  to  the  village,  wet  and 
dirty,  but  elated  with  the  thought  that  the  daughter  of  their 
landlord  had  escaped  from  so  horrid  and  untimely  an  end.1 

l  The  probability  of  a  fire  In'  the  woods,  similar  to  that  here  described,  has  been 
questioned.  The  writer  can  only  say  that  he  once  witnessed  a  fire  in  another  part 
of  New  York  that  compelled  a  man  to  desert  his  waggon  and  horses  in  the  highway, 
and  in  which  the  latter  weie  destroyed.  In  order  to  estimate  the  probability  of 
such  an  event,  it  is  necessary  to  remember  the  effects  of  a  long  drought  in  that 
climate,  and  the  abundance  of  dead  wood  which  is  found  in  a  forest  like  that 
described.  The  fir'es  in  the  American  forests  frequently  rage  to  such  an  extent  aa 
to  produce  a  sensible  effect  on  the  atmosphere  at  the  distance  of  fifty  TaQ.es. 
Hcosee,  Iwrns,  and  fence*  are  quite  commonly  swept  away  in  their  course. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

Sellctar !  nnaheath  then  our  chief's  scimitar; 

Tambourgl  I  thy  'larum  gives  promise  of  war  ; 

Ye  mountains  I  that  see  us  descend  to  the  shore, 

Shall  view  us  as  victors,  or  view  us  no  more.  BVROK 

THE  heavy  showers  that  prevailed  during  the  remainder  of  tho 
elay  completely  stopped  the  progress  of  the  flames ;  though 
glimmering  fires  were  observed  during  the  night  on  different 
parts  of  the  hill,  wherever  there  was  a  collection  of  fuel  to  feed 
the  element.  The  next  day  the  woods,  for  many  miles,  were 
black  and  smoking,  and  were  stripped  of  every  vestige  of  brush 
and  dead  wood ;  but  the  pines  and  hemlocks  still  reared  their 
heads  proudly  alon»  the  hills,  and  even  the  smaller  trees  of  tho 
forest  retained  a  feeble  appearance  of  life  and  vegetation. 

The  many  tongues  of  rumour  were  busy  in  exaggerating  tho 
miraculous  escape  of  Elizabeth,  and  a  report  was  generally 
credited  that  Mohegan  had  actually  perished  in  tho  flames.  This 
belief  became  confirmed,  and  was  indeed  rendered  probable,  when 
the  direful  intelligence  reached  the  village,  that  Jotham  Riddel, 
the  miner,  was  found  in  his  hole,  nearly  dead  with  suffocation, 
and  burnt  to  puch  a  degree  that  no  hopes  were  entertained  of 
his  life. 

Tho  public  attention  became  much  alive  to  the  events  of  tho 
last  few  days ;  and  just  at  this  crisis,  the  convicted  counterfeiters 
took  the  hint  from  Natty,  and,  on  the  night  succeeding  the  fire, 
found  means  to  cut  through  their  lo£  prison  also,  and  to  escape 
unpunished.  When  this  news  began  to  circulate  through  tho 
village,  blended  with  the  fate  of  Jotham,  and  the  exaggerated 
and  tortured  reports  of  the  events  on  the  hill,  the  popular  opinion 
was  freely  expressed  as  to  the  propriety  of  seizing  such  of  tho 
fugitives  as  remained  within  reach.  Men  talked  of  the  cave  as 
a  secret  receptacle  of  guilt ;  and  as  the  rumour  of  ores  and' metals 
found  its  way  into  the  confused  medley  of  conjectures,  counter- 
feiting, and  everything  else  that  was  wicked  and  dangerous  to 
the  peace  of  society,  suggested  themselves  to  the  busy  fancies  of 
the  populace. 

"While  the  public  mind  waa  in  this  feverish  state,  it  was  hinted 
that  the  wood  had  been  set  on  fire  by  Edwards  and  the  Learlher- 

Ml 


THE  PIONEERS.  359 

"stocking,  aud  that  consequcmily  tliey  alone  were  responsible  for 
the  damages.  This  opinion  soon  gained  ground,  being  most 
circulated  by  those  who,  by  their  own  heedlessness,  had  caused 
the  evil  ;  and  there  was  one  irresistible  burst  of  the  common 
acntiment,  that  an  attempt  should  be  made  to  punish  the 
offenders.  Richard  was  by  no  means  deaf  to  this  appeal,  and 
by  noon  he  set  about  in  earnest  to  see  the  laws  executed. 

Several  stout  young  men  were  selected,  and  taken  apart  with, 
an  appearance  of  secrecy,  where  Ihey  received  some  important 
charge  freni  the  Sheriff,  immediately  under  the  eyes  but  far 
removed  from  the  ears  of  all  in  the  village.  Possessed  of  a 
knowledge  of  their  duty,  these  youths  hurried  into  the  hills 
with  a  bustling  manner,  as  if  the  fate  of  the  world  depended  on 
thoir  diligence,  and,  at  the  same  time,  with  an  air  of  mystery, 
n«  great  as  if  they  were  engaged  on  secret  matters  of  the 
State. 

At  twelve  preci^ly  a  drum  beat  the  "long  roll  "before  the 
"  Bold  Dragoon,"  and  Richard  appeared,  accompanied  by  Captain 
Hollister,  who  was  clnd  in  his  vestments  as  commander  of  the 
"Templeton  Light  Infantry,"  when  the  former  demanded  of 
the  latter  the  aid  of  the  pocse  comitatus  in  enforcing  the  laws  of 
the  country.  We  have  not  room  to  record  the  speeches  of  the 
two  gentlemen  on  this  occasion,  but  they  aro  preserved  in  the 
columns  of  the  little  blue  newspaper,  which  is  yet  to  be  found 
on  file,  and  are  said  to  be  highly  creditable  to  the  legal  formula 
of  one  of  the  parties,  and  to  the  military  precision  of 'the  other. 
Everything  had  been  previously  arranged,  and  as  the  red-coated 
drummer  continued  to  roll  out  his  clattering  notes,  Borne  fire 
and  twenty  privates  appeared  in  the  ranks,  and  arranged  them-' 
selves  in  order  of  battle. 

As  this  corps  was  composed  of  volunteers,  and  was  commanded 
by  a  man  who  had  passed  the  first  five  and  thirty  years  of  his 
life  in  camps  and  garrisons,  it  was  the  nonpareil  of  military 
science  in  that  country,  and  was  confidently  pronounced  by  the 
judicious  part  of  the  Templeton  community  to  be  equal  in  skill 
and  appearance  to  any  troops  in  the  known  world  ;  in  physical 
endowments  they  were,  certainly,  much  superior !  To  this 
assertion  there  were  but  three  dissenting  voices,  and  one  dis- 
senting opinion.  The  opinion  belonged  to  Marmaduke,  who, 
however,  saw  no  necessity  for  its  promulgation.  Of  the  voices, 
one,  and  that  a  pretty  loud  one,  came  from  the  spouse  of  the 
commander  himself,  who  frequently  reproached  her  husband  for 
condescending  to  lead  such  an  irregular  band  of  warriors,  after 
he  had  filled  the  honourable  station  of  sergeant-major  to  a 
dashing  corps  of  Virginian  cavalry  through  much  of  the  recent 
war. 

Another  of  these  sceptical  sentiments  was  invariably  exwessed 


aeo  THE  PIONEERS. 

by  Mr.  Pump,  whenever  the  company  paraded,  generally  in  some 
such  terms  as  these,  which  were  uttered  with  that  sort  of  meek- 
ness that  a  native  of  the  island  of  our  forefathers  is  apt  to  assume, 
when  he  condescends  to  praise  the  customs  or  characters  of  her 
truant  progeny, — 

"It's  mayhap  that  they  knows  sum'mat  about  loading  and 
firing,  d'ye  see  ;  but  as  for  working  ship  !  why  a  corporal's  guard 
of  the  Boadishey's  marines  would  back  and  fill  on  their  quarters 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  surround  and  captivate  them  all  in  half 
a  glass."  As  there  was  no  one  to  deny  this  assertion,  the 
marines  of  the  Boadicea  were  held  in  a  corresponding  degree 
of  estimation. 

The  third  unbeliever  was  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  who  merely 
whispered  to  the  Sheriff,  that  the  corps  was  one  of  the  finest 
he  had  ever  seen,  second  only  to  the  Mousquetaires  of  Le  Bon 
Louis  !  However,  as  Mrs.  Hollister  thought  there  was  something 
like  actual  service  in  the  present  appearances,  and  was,  in  con- 
sequence, too  busily  engaged  with  certain  preparations  of  her  own 
to  make  her  comments ;  as  Benjamin  was  absent,  and  Monsieur 
Le  Quoi  too  happy  to  find  fault  with  anything,  the  corps  escaped 
criticism  and  comparison  altogether  on  this  momentous  day, 
when  they  certainly  had  greater  need  of  self-confidence  than  on 
any  other  previous  occasion.  Marmadukt  was  said  to  be  again 
closeted  with  Mr.  Van  der  School,  and  no  interruption  was 
offered  to  the  movements  of  the  troops.  At  two  o'clock  precisely 
the  corps  shouldered  arms,  beginning  on  the  right  wing,  next  to 
the  veteran,  and  carrying  the  motion  through  to  the  left  with 
great  regularity.  When  each  musket  was  quietly  fixed  in  its 
proper  situation,  the  order  was  given  to  wheel  to  the  left,  and 
march.  As  this  was  bringing  raw  troops  at  once  to  face  their 
enemy,  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  the  manoeuvre  was  executed 
with  their  usual  accuracy ;  but  as  the  music  struck  up  the 
inspiring  air  of  Yankee-doodle,  and  Richard  accompanied  by  Mr. 
Doolittle  preceded  the  troops  boldly  down  th«  street,  Captain 
Hollister  led  on,  with  his  head  elevated  to  forty-five  degrees, 
with  a  little  low  cocked  hat  perched  on  its  crown,  carrying  a 
tremendous  dragoon  sabre  at  a  poise,  and  trailing  at  his  heels  a 
huge  steel  scabbard,  that  had  war  in  its  very  clattering.  There 
was  a  good  deal  of  difficulty  in  getting  all  the  platoons  (there 
were  six)  to  look  the  same  way  ;  but  by  the  time  they  reached 
the  defile  of  the  bridge,  the  troops  were  in  Sufficiently  compact 
order.  In  this  manner  they  marched  up  the  hill  to  the  summit 
of  the  mountain,  no  other  alteration  taking  place  in  the  dis- 
position of  the  forces,  excepting  that  a  mutual  complaint  was 
made  by  the  Sheriff  and  tne  magistrate  of  a  failure  in  wind, 
which  gradually  brought  tlic.-.e  gentlemen  to  the  rear.  It  will 
U  unnecessary  to  detail  the  minute  movements  that  succeeded* 

fc^-    —  » 


THE  PIONEERS.  301 

We  tjhall  briefly  say  that  the  scouts  came  in  and  reported,  tbat  so 
far  from  retreating,  as  had  been  anticipated,  the  fugitives  had 
evidently  gained  a  knowledge  of  the  attack,  and  were  fortifying 
for  a  desperate  resistance.  This  intelligence  certainly  made  a 
material  change,  not  only  in  the  plans  ol  the  leaders,  but  in  the 
countenances  of  the  soldiery  also.  The  men  looked  at  one 
another  with  serious  faces,  and  Hiram  and  Richard  began  to 
consult  together  apart.  , 

At  this  juncture  they  were  joined  by  Billy  Kirby,  who  caine 
along  the  highway,  with  his  axe  under  his  arm,  as  much  in 
advance  of  his  team  as  Captain  Hollister  had  been  of  his  troops 
in  the  ascent.  The  wood-chopper  was  amazed  at  the  military 
array,  but  the  Sheriff  eagerly  availed  himself  of  this  powerful 
reinforcement,  and  commanded  his  assistance  in  putting  the  laws 
in  force.  Billy  held  Mr  Jones  in  too  much  deference  to  object ; 
and  it  was  finally  arranged  that  he  should  be  the  bearer  of  a 
Bummous  to  the  garrison  to  surrender,  before  they  proceeded  to 
extremities.  The  troops  now  divided,  one  party  being  led  by 
the  captain,  over  the  Vision,  and  were  brought  in  on  the  left  of 
the  cave,  while  the  remainder  advanced  upon  its  right  under  the 
orders  of  the  lieutenant  Mr.  Jones  and  Dr.  Todd — for  the 
eurgeon  was  in  attendance  also— appeared  on  the  platform  of 
rock,  immediately  over  the  heads  of  the  garrison,  though  out  oi 
their  sight.  Hiram  thought  this  approaching  too  near,  and  he 
therefore  accompanied  Kirby  along  the  side  of  the  hill,  to  within 
A  safe  distance  of  the  fortifications,  where  he  to«k  shelter  behind 
a  tree.  Most  of  the  men  discovered  great  accuracy  of  eye  in 
bringing  some  object  in  range  between  them  and  their  enemy, 
and  the  only  two  of  the  besiegers  who  were  left  in  plain  sight  of 
the  besieged  were  Captain  Hollister  on  one  side,  and  the  wood- 
chopper  on  the  other.  The  veteran  stood  up  boldly  to  the 'front, 
supporting  his  heavy  sword  in  one  undeviating  position,  with 
his  eye  fixed  firmly  on  his  enemy,  while  the  huge  form  of  Billy 
•was  placed  in  that  kind  of  quiet  repose,  with  either  hand  thrust 
into  his  bosom,  bearing  his  axe  under  his  right  arm,  which  per- 
mitted him,  like  his  own  oxen,  to  rest  standing.  So  far  not  a 
word  had  been  exchanged  between  the  belligerents.  The 
besieged  had  drawn  together  a  pile  of  black  logs  and  branches 
of  trees,  which  they  had  formed  into  a  chevaux-de-frise,  making 
a  little  circular  abbatis  IB.  front  of  the  entrance  to  the  cave.  As 
tho  ground  was  steep  and  slippery  in  every  direction  around  the 
place,  and  Benjamin  appeared  behind  the  works  on  one  side 
and  Natty  on  the  other,  the  arrangement  was  by  no  means  con- 
temptible, especially  as  the  front  was  sufficiently  guarded  by  the 
difficulty  of  the  approach.  By  this  time  Kirby  had  received  his 
orders,  and  he  advanced  coolly  along  the  mountain,  picking  his 
way  with  the  same  indifference  as  if  he  were  pursuing  hij 


362  THE  PIONEERS. 

ordinary  busme-s.  When  be  was  within  a  hundred  feet  of  the 
works,  the  long  and  much  d leaded  rifle  of  the  Leather-stocking 
Vf&a  aoen  issuing;  from  the  parapet,  and  his  voice  cried  aloud, — 

"  Keep  off  I  Billy  Kirby,  keep  of)' !  I  wish  ye  no  harm  ;  but 
if  a  uian  of  yo  all  comes  a  stt-p  nigher,  there'll  bo  blood  spilt 
atwixt  iis.  Ood  forgive  the  one  that  draws  it  first,  but  so  it 
must  bo."* 

"Cpuie,  oM  chap,**  wild  Billy  good-naturedly,  "don't  be 
ej&bb'd,  but  hew  what  a  man  has  got  to  say.  I  ve  no  consarn 
in  the  business,  only  to  see  right  'twixt  man  and  man ;  and  I 
donlt  kear  the  valie  of  a  beetle  ring  which  gets  the  better  ;  bvrt 
there's  Squire  Doolittle,  yonder  behind  the  beech  sapling,  he 
has  invited  me  to  com*  in  and  ask  you  to  give  up  to  the  law— 
that's  alL" 

"I  see  the  varmint!  I  see  lus  clothes  I"  cried  the  indignant 
Natty  ;  "and  if  he'll  only  show  so  much  flesh  aa  will  bury  a 
rifle  bullet,  thirty  to  the  pound,  I'll  make  him  feel  me.  Go 
away,  Billy,  I  bid  ye  ;  you  know  my  aim,  and  I  bear  you  no 
malice." 

"  Y  ju  over-calculate  your  aim,  Natty,"  said  the  other,  as  he 
stepped  behind  a  pine  that  stood  near  him,  "if  you  think  to 
shoot  a  man  through  a  tree  with  a  three  foot  butt.  I  can  lay 
this  tree  right  across  you  in  ten  minutes,  by  any  man's  watch, 
and.  iu  less  time,  too  ;  so  be  civil — I  want  no  nioru  than,  what's* 
riglit." 

There  was  a  simple  seriousness  in.  the  countenance  of  Natty, 
thab  showed  he  was  much  in  earnest ;  but  it  was  also  evident 
that  he  was  reluctant  to  shed  human  blood.  He  answered  the 
vaunt  of  the  wood-chopper,  by  saying, — 

"  I  know  you  drop  a  tree  where  you  will,  Billy  Kirby  ;  but  if 
you  show  a  hand,  or  an  arm,  in  doing  it,  there'll  be  bonea  to  be 
set,  and  blood  to  staunch.  If  it's  only  to  get  into  the  cave  that 
ye  want,  wait  till  a  two  hours'  sun,  and  you  may  enter  it  in 
welcome  ;  but  come  in  now  you  shall  not.  There's  one  dead 
body  already,  lying  on  the  cold  rocks,  and  there's  another  in 
which  the  life  can  nardly  be  said  to  stay.  If  you  will  coino  in, 
there'll  be  dead  without  as  well  as  within." 

The  wood-chopper  stepped  out  fearlesoly'from  his  cover,  and 
cried, — 

"  That's  fair  ;  and  what's  fair  is  right.  He  wants  you  to  stop 
till  it's  two  hours  to  sundown  ;  and  I  see  reason  in  the  thing. 
A  man  can  give  up  when  he's  wrong,  if  you  dou't  crowd  him  too 
hard  ;  but  you  crowd  a  man,  and  he  gets  to  be  like  a  stubborn 
ox — the  more  you  beat,  the  worse  he  kicks." 

Tihe  sturdy  notions  of  independence  maintained  by  Billy 
neither  suited  the  emergency  nor  the  impatience  of  Mr.  Jones", 
who  was  burning  with  a  desire  to  examine  the  hidden  mysteries 


THE  PIONEERS.  363 

of  tae  cave.  He  therefore  interrupted  this  amicable  dialogue 
with  his  own  voice. 

y  I  command  you,  Nathaniel  Bumppo,  by  my  authority,  to 
surrender  your  person  to  the  law,"  he  cried.  "  And  I  command 
you,  gentlemen,  to  aid  me  in  performing  my  duty.  Benjamin 
Penguillan,  I  arrest  you,  and  order  you  to  follow  me  to  the  gaol 
of  the  county,  by  virtue  of  this  warrant." 

"  I'd  follow  ye,  Squire  Dickens,"  said  Benjamin,  removing  the 
pipe-  from  his  mouth  (for  during  the  whole  scene  the  ex-major- 
domo  had  been  very  composedly  smoking);  "ay!  I'd  sail  in 
your  wake  to  the  end  of  the  world,  if  so  be  that  there  was  such 
a  place,  which  there  isn't  seeing  that  it's  round.  Now,  mayhap, 
Master  Hollister,  having  lived  all  your  life  on  shore,  you  isn't, 
acquainted  that  the  world,  d'ye  see  " — 

"  Surrender  ! "  interrupted  the  veteran,  in  a  voice  that  startled' 
his  hearers,  and  which  actually  caused  his  own  forces  to  recoil 
several  paces ;  "  surrender,  Benjamin  Pengullum,  or  expect  no 
quarter. 

"  Damn  your  quarter  !  "•  said  Benjamin,  rising  from  the  log  on 
which  he  was  seated,  and  taking  a  squint  along  the  barrel  tithe 
swivel,  which  had  been  brought  on  the  hill  during  the  night, 
and  now  formed  the  means  01  defence  on  his  side  of  the  work?.. 
"  Look  you,  Master,  or  Captain,  thof  I  questions  if  ye  know  the 
name  of  a  rope,  except  the  one  that's  to  hang  ye,  there's  no  need 
of  singing  out,  as  if  ye  was  hailing  a  deaf  man  on  a  top-gallant 
yard.  Mayhap  you  think  you're  got  my  true  name  in  your 
sheep  r  skin ;  but  what  British  sailor  finds  it  worth  while  to 
sail  in  these  seas  without  a  sham  on  his  stern,  in  case  of 
need,  d'ye  see.  If  you  calls  me  Penguillan,  you  calls  me  by 
the  name  of  the  man  on  whose  land,  d'ye  see,  I  hove  into 
daylight ;  and  he  was  a  gentleman ;  and  that's  more  than 
my  worst  enemy  will  say  of  any  of  the  family  of  Benjamin 
Stubbs." 

'  Send  the  warrant  round  to  me,  and  .I'll  cut  in  an  alias," 
cried  Hiram,  from  behind  his  cover. 

"  Put  in  a  jackass,  and  you'll  put  in  yourself,  Mister  Doo-but- 
little,"  shouted  Benjamin,  who  Kept  squinting  along  his  little 
ir§n  tube  with  great  steadiness. 

j"l  give  you  but  one  moment  to  yield,"  cried  Richard.1 
"Benjaminl  Benjamin !  this  is  not  the  gratitude  I  expected1 
from  you." 

"  1  tell  you,  Richard  Jones,"  said  Natty,  who  dreadfed  the 
Sheriffs  influence  over  his  comrade ;  "  though  the  canister  tho: 
gal  brought  be  lost,  there's  powder 'enough  in  the  cave  to  lift 
the  rock  you  stand  on.  I'll  take  off  my  roof  if  you  don't  hold1 
your  peace." 

"  I  think  it  beneath  the  dignity  of  my  office  Jx>  parley 


364  THE  PIONEERS. 

with  the  prisoners,"  the  Sheriff  observed  to  his  companion,  while 
they  both  retired  with  a  precipitancy  that  Captain  Hollister  mis- 
took for  the  signal  to  advance. 

"  Charge  baggonet ! "  shouted  the  veteran  ;  "  march  1 " 
Although  this  signal  was  certainly  expected,  it  took  the 
assailed  a  little  by  surprise,  and  the  veteran  approached  the 
works,  crying,  "  Courage,  my  brave  lads !  give  them  no  quarter 
unless  they  surrender  j "  and  struck  a  furious  blow  upwards  with 
his  sabre,  that  would  have  divided  the  steward  in  moieties,  by 
subjecting  him  to  the  process  of  decapitation,  but  for  the  fortunate 
interference  of  the  muzzle  of  the  swivel.  As  it  was,  the  gun  was 
dismounted  at  the  critical  moment  that  Benjamin  was  applying 
his  pipe  to  the  priming,  and,  in  consequence,  some  five  or  six 
dozen  of  rifle  bullets  vere  projected  into  the  air,  in  nearly  a 
perpendicular  line.  Philosophy  teaches  us  that  the  atmosphere 
will  not  retain  lead  ;  and  two  pounds  of  the  metal,  moulded  into 
bullets  of  thirty  to  the  pound,  after  describing  an  ellipsis  in  their 
journey,  returned  to  the  earth,  rattling  among  the  branches  of 
the  trees  directly  over  the  heads  of  the  troops  stationed  in  the 
rear  of  their  captain.  Much  of  the  success  of  an  attack,  made  by 
irregular  soldiers,  depends  on  the  direction  in  which  they  are 
first  got  in  motion.  In  the  present  instance,  it  was  retrograde, 
and  in  less  than  a  minute  after  the  bellowing  report  of  the  swivel 
among  the  rocks  and  caverns,  the  whole  weight  of  the  attack, 
from  the  left,  rested  on  the  prowess  of  the  single  arm  of  the 
veteran.  Benjamin  received  a  severe  contusion  from  the  recoil  of 
his  gun,  which  produced  a  short  stupor,  during  which  period  the 
ex  -  steward  was  prostrate  on  the  ground.  Captain  Hollister 
availed  himself  of  this  circumstance  to  scramble  over  the  breast- 
work, and  obtain  a  footing  in  the  bastion — for  such  was  the 
nature  of  the  fortress,  as  connected  with  the  cave.  The  ^moment 
the  veteran  found  himself  within  the  works  of  hia  enemy,  he 
rushed  to  the  edge  of  the  fortification,  and  waving  his  sabre  over 
his  head,  shouted, — 

"  Victory  !  come  on,  my  brave  boys,  the  work's  our  own  1 n 
All  this  was  perfectly  military,  and  was  such  an  example  as 
a  gallant  officer  was  in  some  measure  bound  to  exhibit  to  his 
men  ;  but  the  outcry  was  the  unlucky  cause  of  turning  the  tide 
of  success.  Natty,  who  had  been  keeping  a  vigilant  eye  on  the 
wood-chopper  and  the  enemy  immediately  before  hirar  wheeled 
at  this  alarm,  and  was  appalled  at  beholding  his  comrade  on  the 
ground,  and  the  veteran  standing  on  his  own  bulwark,  giving 
forth  the  cry  of  victory. !  The  IP  orzle  of  the  long  rifle  waa 
turned  instantly  towards  the  captain.  Theie  was  a  moment 
when  the  life  of  the  old  soldier  was  in  great  jeopardy  ;  but  the, 
object  to  shoot  at  was  both  too  lar^e  and  too  near  for  the 
.Leather-stocking,  who,  instead  of  pulling  hia  trigger,  applied  the 


THE  PIONEERS.  365 

gun  to  the  rear  of  his  enemy,  and  by  a  powerful  shove  sent  him 
outside  of  the  works  with  much  greater  rapidity  than  he  had 
entered  them.  The  spot  on  which  Captain  Hollister  alighted 
was  directly  in  front,  where,  as  his  feet  touched  the  ground,  BO 
steep  and  slippery  was  the  side  of  the  mountain,  it  seemed  to 
recede  from  under  them.  His  motion  was  swift,  and  so  irregular, 
as  utterly  to  conruse  the  faculties  of  the  old  soldier.  During  its 
continuance,  he  supposed  himself  to  be  mounted,  and  charging 
through  the  ranks  ot  his  enemy.  At  every  tree  he  made  a  blow, 
of  course,  as  at  a  foot  soldier ;  and  just  as  he  was  making-  the 
cut  "St.  George"  at  a  half-burnt  sapling,  he  landed  in  the  high- 
way, and,  to  his  utter  amazement,  at  the  feet  of  his  own  spouse. 
When  Mrs.  Holhster,  who  was  toiling  up  the  hill,  followed  by  at 
least  twenty  curious  boys,  leaning  with,  one  hand  on  the  staff 
with  which  she  ordinarily  walked,  and  bearing  in  the  other  an 
empty  bag,  witnessed  this  exploit  of  her  husband,  indignation 
immediately  got  the  better  not  only  of  her  religion  but  of  her 
philosophy. 

"  Why,  sargeant !  is  it  flying  ye  are  ? "  she  cried  —  "  That  I 
sko^ild  live  to  see  a  husband  of  mine  turn  his  back  to  the  inimy ! 
and  sich  a  one  !  Here  have  I  been  telling  the  Vys.  as  vra  come 
along,  all  about  the  saige  of  Yorrektown,  and  how  he  was 
liurted  ;  and  how  ye'd  be  acting  the  same  ag'in  the  day  ;  and  I 
mate  ye  re  trailing  just  as  the  first  gun  is  fired.  Och !  I  may 
trow  away  the  bag  !  for  if  there's  plunder,  'twill  not  be  the  wife 
of  sich  as  yeerself  that  will  be  privileged  to  be  getting  the  same. 
They  do  say,  too,  there  is  a  power  of  goold  and  silver  in  the  place 
— the  Lord  forgive  me  for  setting  my  heart  on  worreldly  things  ; 
but  what  falls  in  the  kittle,  there's  Scripter  for  believing,  is  the 
just  property  of  the  victor." 

"  Retreating ! "  exclaimed  the  amazed  veteran  ;  "  where's  my 
horse  ?  he  has  been  shot  under  me — I " — 

"Is  the  man  mad?"  interrupted  his  wife — "divil  the  horse 
do  ye  own,  sargeant,  and  ye're  nothing  but  a  shabby  captain 
of  malaishy.  Oh  I  if  the  ra'al  captain  was  here,  'tis  the  other 
way  ye'd  be  riding,  dear,  or  you  would  not  follow  your  laider  ! " 

While  this  worthy  couple  were  thus  discussing  events,  the 
battle  began  to  rage  more  violently  than  ever  above  them. 
When  the  Leather-stocking  saw  his  enemy  fairly  under  head- 
way, as  Benjamin  would  express  it,  he  gave  his  attention  again 
to  the  right  wing  of  the  assailants.  It  would  have  been  easy  for 
Kirby,  with  his  powerful  frame,  to  have  seized  the  moment  to 
scale  the  bastion,  and,  with  liis  great  strength,  to  have  sent  ooth 
its  defenders  in  pursuit  of  the  veteran  ;  but  hostility  appeared  to 
be  the  passiou  tliat  the  wood-chopper  indulged  the  least  in  at 
4 hat  moment,  for,  in  a  voice  that  was  heard  even  by  the  retreating 
left  wing,  he  shouted, — 


366  THE  PIONEERS. 

u  Hurrah  I  well  done,  captain  1  keep  it  up  i  how  he  handles 
his  bush  hook  I  he  makes  nothing  of  a  sapling  ! "  and  such  other 
encouraging  exclamations  to  the  flying  veteran,  until,  overcome 
by  mirth,  the  good-natured  fellow  seated  himself  on  the  ground, 
kicking  the  earth  with  delight,  and  giving  vent  to  peal  after  peal 
of  laughter. 

Natty  stood  all  this  time  in  a  menacing  attitude,  with  his 
rifle  pointed  over  the  breast-work,  watching  with  a  quick  and 
cautious  eye  the  least  movement  of  the  assailants.  The  outcry 
unfortunately  tempted  the  ungovernable  curiosity  of  Hiram  to 
take  a  peep  from  behind  his  cover  at  the  state  of  the  battle. 
Though  this  evolution  was  performed  with  great  caution,  in. 
protecting  his  front  he  left,  like  many  a  better  commander,  his 
rear  extsjr.  J  to  the  attacks  of  his  enemy.  Mr  Doohttle  belonged 
physically  to  a  class  of  his  countrymen  to  whom  nature  haa 
denied,  in  their  formation,  the  use  of  curved  lines.  Everything 
about  him  was  either  straight  or  angular.  But  his  tailor  was  a 
woman  who  worked,  like  a  regimental  contractor,  by  a  set  of 
rules  that  gave  the  same  configuration  to  the  whole  human 
species.  Consequently,  when  Mr.  Doolittle  leaned  forward  in 
the  manner  described,  a  \  x>se  drapery  appeared  behind  the  tree, 
at  which  the  rifle  of  Natty  was  pointed  with  the  quickness  of 
lightning.  A  less  experienced  man  would  have  aimed  at  the 
flowing  robe,  which  hung  like  a  festoon  half-way  to  the  earth ; 
but  the  Leather-stocking  knew  both  the  man  and  his  femala 
tailor  better,  and  when  the  smart  report  of  the  rifle  was  heard, 
Kirby,  who  watched  the  whole  manoeuvre  in  breathless  expecta- 
tion, saw  the  bark  fly  frojn  the  beech,  and  the  cloth,  at  some 
distance  above  the  loos*  folds,  wave  at  the  same  instant.  No 
battery  was  ever  unmasked  with"more  promptitude  than  Hiram 
advanced  from  behind  the  tree  at  this  summons. 

He  made  two  or  three  steps,  with  great  precision,  to  the  front, 
and  placing  one  hand  on  the  afflicted  part,  stretched  forth  the 
other,  with  a  menacing  air,  towards  Natty,  and  cried  aloud,-^- 

"  Gawl  darn  ye  I  this  shan't  be  settled  so  easy  ;  I'll  follow  it 
up  from  the  '  common  pleas '  to  the  '  court  of  errors.' " 

Such  a  shocking  imprecation,  from  the  mouth  of  so  orderly  a 
man  as  Squire  Doolittle,  with  the  fearless  mannur  in  which  ho 
exposed  himself,  together  with,  perhaps,  the  knowledge  that 
fatty's  rifle  was  unloaded,  encouraged  the  troops  in  the  rear, 
who  gave  a  loud  shout,  and  fixed  a  volley  into  the  tree-tops,  after 
the  contents,  of  the  swivel  Animated  by  their  own  noise,  tho 
,men  now  rushed  on  in  earnest,  and  Billy  Kirby,  who  thought  the 
joke,  good  as  it  was,  had  gone  far  enough,  was  in  the  act  of  scaling 
the  works,  when  Judge  Temple  appeared  on  the  opposite  side, 
exclaiming,  — 

"Silence  and  peace  1  why  do  I  see  murder  and  bloodshed 


SKUS: 

attempted  ?  is  not  the  law  sufficient  to  protect  itself,  that  armed 
baads  must  be  gathered,  as  in  rebellion  and  war,  to  see  justice 
performed?" 

"'Tis  the  posse  comitatus,"  shouted  the  Sheriff,  from  a  distant 
rock,  "who  — 

"  Say  rather  a  posse  of  demons.     I  command  the  peace." 

"  Hold  1  shed  not  blood  1 "  cried  a  voice  from  the  top  of  the 
Vision.  "  Hold  !  for  the  sake  of  Heaven,  fire  no  more  I  all  shall 
be  yielded  !  you  shall  enter  the  cave  I " 

Amazement  produced  the  desired  effwct.  Natty,  who  ha'l 
reloaded  his  piece,  quietly  seated  himself  on  the  logs,  and  rested 
his  head  on  his  hand,  while  the  "  Light  Infantry  "  ceased  thuir 
military  movements,  and  waited  the  issue  in  suspense. 

In  less  than  a  minute  Edwards  came  rushing  down  the  hill, 
followed  by  Major  Hartmann  with  a  velocity  that  was  surprising 
for  his  years.  They  reached  the  terrace  in  an  instant,  from  which 
the  youth  led  the  way,  by  the  hollow  in  the  rock,  to  the  mouth 
of  the  cave,  into  which  they  both  entered  ;  leaving  all  without 
silent,  and  gazing  after  them  with  astonishment. 


CHAPTER  XL. 

I  am  dumb. 
Were  yoa  the  Doctor,  and  1  knew  you  not? 

SHAKSPEARU. 

DURING  tlio  five  or  six  minutes  that  elapsed  before  the  youth, 
and  Major  reappeared,  Judge  Temple  and  the  Sheriff,  together 
•with  most  of  the  volunteers,  ascended  to  the  terrace,  where  the 
latter  began  to  express  their  conjectures  of  the  result,  and  to 
recount  their  individual  services  in  the  conflict.  But  the 
sight  of  the  peace  -  makers,  ascending  the  ravine,  shut  every 
month, 

On  a  rude  chair,  covered  with  undressed  deer -skins,  they 
supported  a  human  being,  whom  they  seated  carefully  and 
.respectfully  in  the  midst  of  the  assembly.  His  head  was 
coveted  by  long,  smooth  locks,  of  the  colour  of  snow.  His  dress, 
which  was  studiously  neat  and  clean,  was  composed  of  such 
fabrics  as  none  but  the  wealthiest  classes  wear,  but  was  thread- 
bare and  patched  ;  and  on  his  feet  were  placed  a  pair  of  mocas- 
sins, ornamented  iu  the  best  manner  of  Indian  ingenuity.  The 
outlines  of  his  face  were  grave  and  dignified,  though  his  vacant 
eye,  which  opened  anil  turned  slowly  to  the  faces  of  those 
around  him  in  unmeaning  looks,  too  surely  announced  that  the 
period  had  arrived  when  age  brings  the  mental  imbecility  of 
childhood. 

Natty  had  followed  the  supporters  of  this  unexpected  object  to 
the  top»of  the  cave,  and  took  hi.s  station  at  a  little  distance  behind 
him,  leaning  on  his  riilc.  in  the  midst  of  his  pursuers,  with  a 
fearlessness  that  showed  tliat  heavier  interests  Irian  those  which 
affected  himself  were  to  be  decided.  Major  Hartmann  placed 
himself  beside  the  aged  man,  uncovered,  with  his  whole  soul 
beaming  through  those  eyes  whiph  so  commonly  danced  with  frolic 
and  humour.  Edward  *  rested  with,  one  hand  familiarly  but  affec- 
tionately on  the  clviir,  though  his  heart  waa  swelling  with  emotions 
that  denied  him  utterance. 

All  eyes  were  gn/ing  Intently,  but  each  tongue  continued  mute. 
At  length  the  decrepit  stranger,  turning  hia  vacant  looks  from  faro 
to  face,  made  a  feeble  attempt  to  rise,  while  a  faint  smile  cios.sod 


THE  PIONEERS.  339 

his  wasted  face,  like  an  habitual  effort  at  courtesy,  as  he  said,  in 
a  hollow,  tremulous  voice, — 

"  Be  pleased  to  be  seated,  gentlemen.  The  council  will  open 
immediately.  Each  one  who  loves  a  good  and  virtuous  king 
will  wish  to  see  these  colonies  continue  loyal.  Be  seated — I 
pray  rou  be  seated,  gentlemen.  The  troops  shall  halt  for  the 
night/' 

"  This  is  the  wandering  of  insanity ! "  said  Mannaduke  j  "who 
will  explain  this  scene  ? " 

"No,  sir,"  said  Edwards  firmly,  "'tis  only  the  decay  of 
nature  ;  who  is  answerable  for  its  pitiful  condition  remains  to  be 
shown." 

"  Will  the  gentlemen  dine  with  us,  my  son  1 "  said  the  old 
stranger,  turning  to  a  voice  that  he  both  knew  and  loved.  "Order 
a  repast  suitable  for  his  Majesty's  officers.  You  know  we  have 
the  best  of  game  always  at  command." 

"Who  is  this  man  ?"  asked  Marmaduke  in  a  nurried  voice,  in 
which  the  dawnings  of  conjecture  united  with  interest  to  put  the 
question. 

"  This  man  1 "  returned  Edwards  calmly,  his  voice,  however, 
gradually  rising  as  he  proceeded,  "  this  man,  sir,  whom  you 
behold  hid  in  caverns,  and  deprived  of  everything  that  can 
make  life  desirable,  was  once  the  companion  and  counsellor  of 
those  who  ruled  your  country.  This  man,  whom  you  see  help- 
less and  feeble,  was  once  a  warrior,  so  brave  and  fearless  that 
even  the  intiepid  natives  gave  him  the  name  of  the  Fire-eater. 
This  man,  whom  you  now  see  destitute  of  even  the  ordinary 
comfort  of  a  cabin  in  which  to  shelter  his  head,  was  once  tho 
owner  of  great  riches ;  and,  Judge  Temple,  he  was  the  rightful 
proprietor  of  this  very  soil  on  wnich  we  stand.  This  man  wa» 
the  father  of"— 

"This,  then,"  cried  Marmaduke,  with  powerful  emotion,  "thia^ 
then,  is  the  lost  Major  Effingham  ! " 

"  Lost  indeed,"  said  the  youth,  fixing  a  piercing  eye  on  the 
other. 

"  And  you  !  and  you  1 "  continued  the  Judge,  articulating  with 
difficulty. 

"  I  am  his  grandson." 

A  minute  passed  in  profound  silence.  All  eyes  were  fixed  OB 
the  speakers,  and  even  the  old  German  appeared  to  wait  the  issue 
in  deep  anxiety.  But  the  moment  oi  agitation  soon  passed. 
'Marmaduke  raised  his  head  from  his  bosom,  where  it  baa  sunk, 
not  in  shame,  but  in  devout  mental  thanksgivings,  and,  as  large 
tears  full  pver  his  fine  manly  face,  he  grasped  the  hand  of  the 
youth  warmly,  and  said, — 

"  Oliver,  1  forgive  all  thy  harshness — all  thy  suspicions.  I  now 
see  it  all.  I  forgive  thee  everything  but  suffering  this  aged  u  aa 


370  THE  PIONEERS. 

to  dwell  in  such  a  place,  when  not  only  my  habitation  but  my 
fortune  were  at  his  and  thy  command." 

"He's  true  as  ter  steel !"  shouted  Major  Hartmann ;  "titn't  I 
tell  you,  lat,  dat  Marmatuke  Temple  vast  a  frient  dat  woult  never 
fail  in  ter  dime  as  of  neet  ? " 

"  It  is  true,  Judge  Temple,  that  my  opinions  of  your  conduct 
have  been  staggered  by  what  this  worthy  gentleman  has  told 
me.  When  I  found  it  impossible  to  convey  my  grandfather 
back  whence  the  enduring  love  of  this  old  man  brought  him, 
without  detection  and  exposure,  I  went  to  the  Mohawk  in  quest 
of  one  of  his  former  comrades,  in  whose  justice  I  had  depend- 
ence. He  is  your  friend,  Judge  Temple,  but  if  what  he  says 
be  true,  both  my  father  and  myself  may  have  judged  you 
harshly." 

"  You  name  your  father  !  "  said  Marmaduke  tenderly — "  was 
he  indeed  lost  in  the  packet  ? " 

"  He  was.  He  had  left  me,  after  several  years  of  fruitless  ap- 
plication and  comparative  poverty,  in  Nova  Scotia,  to  obtain  the 
compensation  for  nis  losses  which  the  British  commissioners  had 
at  length  awarded.  After  spending  a  year  in  England,  he  was 
returning  to  Halifax,  on  his  way  to  a  government  to  which  he 
had  been  appointed  in  the  West  Indies,  intending  "to  go  to  the 
place  where  my  grandfather  had  sojourned  during  and  since  the 
war,  and  take  him  with  us." 

"  But  thou  ! "  said  Marmaduke,  with  powerful  interest ;  "  I  had 
thought  that  thou  hadst  perished  with  nim." 

A  flush  passed  over  the  cheeks  of  the  young  man,  who  gazed 
about  him  at  the  wondering  faces  of  the  volunteers,  and  continued 
silent.  Marmaduke  turned  to  the  veteran  captain,  who  just  then 
rejoined  his  command,  and  said, — 

"  March  thy  soldiers  back  again,  and  dismiss  them  ;  the  zeal  ot 
the  Sheriff  has  much  mistaken  his  duty.  Dr.  Todd,  I  will  thank 
you  to  attend  to  the  injury  which  Hiram  Doolittle  has  received 
m  this  untoward  affair.  Kichard,  you  will  oblige  me  by  sending 
up  the  carriage  to  the  top  of  the  hill.  Benjamin,  return  to  your 
duty  in  my  family." 

Unwelcome  as  these  orders  were  to  most  of  the  auditors,  the 
suspicion  that  they  had  somewhat  exceeded  the  wholesome 
restraints  of  the  law,  and  the  habitual  respect  with  which  all 
the  commands  of  the  Judge  were  received,  induced  a  prompt 
compliance. 

When  they  were  gone,  and  the  rock  was  left  to  the  parties  most 
interested  in.  an  explanation,  Marmaduke,  pointing  to  the  aged 
Major  Effingham,  said  to  his  grandson, — 

"Had  we  not  better  remove  thy  parent  from  this  open  place, 
until  my  carriage  can  arrive  ? " 

"  Pardon  me,  sir,  the  air  does  him  good,  and  he  has  taken  it 


TEE  PIONEERS.  371 

whenever  there  was  no  dread  of  a  -discovery.  I  know  not  how  to 
act,  Judge  Temple.  Ought  I,  can  I  suffer  Major  .Effingham  to 
become  an  inmate  of  your  family  ? " 

"Thou  shalt  be  thyself  the  judge,"  said  Mannaduke.  "Thy 
father  was  my  early  friend.  He  intrusted  his  fortune  to  my 
care.  When  we  separated,  he  had  euch  confidence  in  me  that 
he  wished  no  security,  no  evidence  of  the  trust,  even  had  thare 
been  time  or  convenience  for  exacting  it.  This  thou  hast 
heard?" 

"  Most  truly,  sir,"  said  Edwards,  or  rather  Effingham,  as  we 
must  now  call  him. 

"  We  differed  in  politics.  If  the  cause  of  this  country  was  suc- 
cessful, the  trust  was  sacred  with  me,  for  none  knew  of  thy  father's 
interest.  Tf  the  crown  still  held  its  sway,  it  would  be  easy  to 
restore  the  property  of  so  loyal  a  subject  as  Colonel  Effingham.  Is 
not  this  plain?" 

"  The  premises  are  good,  sir,"  continued  the  youth,  with  the 
same  incredulous  look  a*  before. 

"  Listen— listen,  poy,"  said  the  German.  "  Dere  is  not  a  hair 
as  of  tcr  rogue  in  ter  het  of  ter  Tchooge." 

"  We  all  know  the  issue  of  the  struggle, "  continued  Mannaduke, 
disregarding  both.  "  Thy  grandfather  was  left  in  Connecticut, 
regularly  supplied  by  thy  father  with  the  means  of  Bxich  a  sub 
sistence  as  suited  his  wants.  This  I  well  knew,  though  I  never 
had  intercourse  with  him,  even  in  our  happiest  days.  .  Thy 
father  retired  with  the  troops  to  prosecute  Ms  claims  on  England 
At  all  events,  his  losses  must  be  great,  for  his  real  estates 
were  sold,  and  I  became  the  lawful  purchaser.  It  was  net 
unnatural  to  wish  that  he  might  have  n'o  bar  to  his  just 
recovery  ? " 

"There  was  none,  but  the  difficulty  of  providing  for  so  many 
claimants."  • 

"But  there  would  have  been  one,  and  an  insuperable  one,  had 
I  announced  to  the  world  that  I  held  these  estates,  multiplied,  by 
the  times  and  my  industry,  a  hundred  fold  in  value,  only  as  his 
trustee.  Thou  knowest  that  I  supplied  him  with  considerable 
sum*  immediately  after  the  war." 

"  You  did,  until."— 

"  My  letters  were  returned  lonoponcd.  Thy  father  had  much 
of  thy  o%vn  spirit,  Oliver;  he  was  sometimes  hasty  and  rash." 
The  Jud.cje  continued  in  a  self-condemning  manner — "  Perhaps 
my  fault  lies  the  other  way  ;  I  may  possibly  look  too  far  ahead, 
nnd  calculate  too  deeply.  It  certainly  was  a  severe  trial  to  allow 
the  man,  whom  I  most  loved,  to  think  ill  of  me  for  seven  years, 
in  order  that  he  might  honestly  apply  for  his  just  remunera- 
tions. But  had  he  opened  my  last  letters,  thou  wouldst  have 
learnt  the  whole  truth.  Those  I  sent  him  to  England,  by  what 


S7t  THE  PIONEERS. 

mv  agent  writea  me,  he  did  read.     He  died,  Oliver,  knowing 
alt     He  died  iny  Mend,  and  I  thought  thou  hadst  died  with 

v  •        n 

him. 

"  Our  poverty  would  not  permit  us  to  pay  for  two  passages,"1 
said  the  youth,  with  the  extraordinary  emotion  with  which  he  ever 
alluded  to  the  degraded  state  of  his  family  ;  "  I  was  left  in  the 
Province  to  wait  for  his  return,  and  when  the  sad  news  of  his! 
loss  reached  me,  I  was  nearly  penniless.'' 

"  And  what  didst  thoit,  boy  t"  asked  Mannaduke  in  a  faltering 
voice. 

"I  took  my  passage  here  in  search  of  my  grandfather ;  for  l| 
well  knew  that  his  resources  were  gone  witli  the  half-pay  of 
my  father.  On  reaching  his  abode,  I  learnt  that  he  had  left 
it  in  secret ;  though  the  reluctant  hireling,  who  deserted  him 
in  his  poverty,  owned  to  my  urgent  entreaties  that  he  believed 
he  had  been  carried  away  by  an  old  man,  who  had  formerly 
been  his  servant.  I  knew  at  once  it  was  Natty,  for"  my  father 
often  "— 

"  Was  Natty  a  servant  of  thy  grandfather?"  exclaimed  the  Judge. 

"  Of  that,  too,  were  you  ignorant  ? "  said  the  youth,  in  evident 
surprise, 

"  How  should  I  know  it  ?  I  never  met  the  Major,  nor  was  the 
name  of  Bumppo  ever  mentioned  to  me.  I  knew  him  only  as  a 
man  of  the  woods,  and  one  who  lived  by  hunting.  Such  men  arc 
too  common  to  excite  surprise." 

"He  was  reared  in  the  family  of  my  grandfather  ;  served  him 
for  many  years  during  their  campaigns  at  the  west,  where  ho 
became  attached  to  the  woods  ;  and  he  was  left  here  as  a  kind 
of  locum  tenens  on  the  lands  that  old  Mohegan  (whose  life 
my  grandfather  once  saved)  induced  the  Delawares  to  grant  to 
him,  when  they  admitted  him  as  an  honorary  member  of  their 
tribe." 

"  This,  then,  is  thy  Indian  blood  ?" 

"  I  have  no  other,  said  Edwards,  smiling.  "  Major  Effingham 
was  adopted  as  the  son  of  Mohegan,  who  at  that  time  was  the 
greatest  man  in  his  nation  ;  and  my  father,  who  visited  those 
people  when  a  boy,  received  the  name  of  the  eagle  from  them,  on 
account  of  the  shape  of  his  face,  as  I  understand.  They  have  ex- 
tended his  title  to  me.  I  have  no  other  Indian  blood  or  breeding  ; 
though  I  have  seen  the  hour,  Judge  Temple,  when  I  could  wish 
that  such  had  been  my  lineage  and  education." 

"  proceed  with  thy  tale,"  said  Marmaduke. 

"  I  have  but  little  more  to  say,  sir.  I  followed  to.  the  lake 
where  I  had  so  often  been  told  that  Natty  dwelt,  and  found  him 
maintaining  his  old  master  in  secret ;  for  even  he  could  not  bear 
to  exhibit  to  the  world,  in  his  poverty  and  dotage,  a  man  whom 
a  whole  people  ence  looked  up  to  with  respect." 


PIONEERS.  373 

"And  what  did  you?" 

"What  did  I?  I  spent  my  last  money  in  purchasing  a  rifle, 
clad  myself  in  a  coarse  garb,  and  learned  to  be  a  hunter  by  the 
side  of  Leather-stocking.  You  know  the  rest,  Judge  Temple." 
*  "  Ant  vere  vast  olt  Fritz  Hartmann  1 "  said  the  German  reproach- 
fully ;  "  didst  never  hear  a  name  as  of  olt  Fritz  Hartmann  from 
ter  inout  of  ter  fader,  lat  ? " 

"  I  may  have  been  mistaken,  gentlemen,"  returned  the  youth  ; 
"  but  I  had  pride,  and  could  not  submit  to  such  an  exposure  as 
this  day  even  has  reluctantly  brought  to  light.  I  had  plans  that 
might  have  been  visionary  ;  but,  should  my  parent  survive  till 
autumn,  I  purposed  taking  him  with  ine  to  the  city,  where  we 
have  distant  relatives,  who  must  have  learnt  to  forget  the  Tory 
by  this  time.  He  decays  rapidly,"  he  continued  mournfully,  "  and 
must  soon  lie  by  the  side  of  old  Mohegan." 

The.  air  being  pure,  and  the  day  fine,  the  party  continued  con- 
versing on  the  rock  until  the  wheels  of  Judge  Temple's  carriage 
were  heard  clattering  up  the  side  of  the  mountain,  during  which 
time  the  conversation  was  maintained  with  deep  interest,  each 
moment  clearing  up  some  doubtful  action,  and  lessening  the 
antipathy  of  the  youth  to  Manuaduke.  He  no  longer  objected 
to  the  removal  of  his  grandfather,  who.  displayed  a  childish 
pleasure  when  he  found  himself  seated  once  more  in  a  carriage. 
When  placed  in  the  ample  hall  of  the  Mansion-house,  the  eyes  of 
the  aged  veteran  turned  slowly  to  the  objects  in  the  apartment, 
and  a  look  like  the  dawn  of  intellect  would,  for  moments,  flit 
across  his  features,  when  he  invariably  offered  some  useless 
courtesies  to  those  near  him,  wandering  painfully  in  his  sub- 
jects. The  exercise  and  the  change  soon  produced  an  exhaustion, 
that  caused  them  to  remove  him  to  his  bed,  where  he  lay  for 
hours,  evidently  sensible  of  the  change  in  his  comforts,  and 
exhibiting  that  mortifying  picture  of  human  nature,  which 
too  plainly  shows  that  the  propensities  of  the  animal  con- 
tinue even  after  the  nobler  part  of  the  creature  appears  to  have 
vanished. 

Until  his  parent  was  placed  comfortably  in  bed,  with  Natty 
seated  at  his  side,  Effingham  did  not  quit  him.  He  then  obeyed 
a  summons  to  the  library  of  the  Judge,  where  he  found  the  latter, 
with  Major  Hartmann,  waiting  for  him. 

"Read  this  'paper,  Oliver."  said  Marmaduke  to  him  as  he 
entered,  "and  thpu  wilt  fina  that,  so  far  from  intending  thy 
family  wrong  during  life,  it  kas  been  my  care  to  see  that  justice 
should  be  done  at  even  a  later  day." 

The  youth  took  the  paper,  which  his  first  glance  told  him 
was  the  will  of  the  Judge.  Hurried  and  agitated  as  he  was,  he 
discovered  that  the  date  corresponded  with  the  time  of  the  un- 
usual depression*  of  Marmaduke.  As  he  proceeded  his  eyea 

SB 


374  THE  PIONEERS. 

began  to  moisten,  and  the  hand  which  held  the  instrument  shook 
violently. 

The  will  commenced  with  the  usual  forms,  spun  out  by  the 
ingenuity  of  Mr.  Van  der  School ;  but  after  this  subject  was 
fairly  exhausted,  the  pen  of  Marinaduke  became  plainly  visible. 
In  clear,  distinct,  manly,  and  even  eloquent  language,  he  re- 
counted his  obligations  to  Colonel  Effingham,  the  nature  of  their 
connection,  and  the  circumstances  in  which  they  separated.  Ho 
ifaen  proceeded  to  relate  the  motives  of  his  long  silence,  men- 
tioning, however,  large  sums  that  he  had  forwarded  to  his  friend, 
which  had  been  returned,  with  the  letters  unopened.  After  this, 
he  spoke  of  his  search  for  the  grandfather,  who  had  unaccount- 
ably disappeared,  and  his  fears  that  the  direct  heir  of  the  trust 
was  buried  in  the  ocean  with  his  father. 

After,  in  short,  recounting  in  a  clear  narrative  the  events 
which  our  readers  must  now  ce  able  to  connect,  he  proceeded  to 
make  a  fair  and  exact  statement  of  the  sums  left  in  his  care  by 
Colonel  Effingham.  A  devise  of  his  whole  estate  to  certain  re- 
sponsible trustees  followed  ;  to  hold  the  same  for  the  benefit,  in 
equal  moieties,  of  his  daughter,  on  one  part,  and  of  Oliver 
Efncgham,  formerly  a  major  in  the  army  of  Great  Britain,  and 
of  his  son  Edward  Effingham,  and  of  his  eon  Edward  Oliver 
Effingham,  or  to  the  survivor  of  them,  and  the  descendants  of 
such  survivor,  for  ever,  on  ihe  other  part  The  trust  was  to 
endure  until  1810,  when,  if  no  person  appeared,  or  could  be 
found,  after  sufficient  notice,  to  claim  the  moiety  so  devised,  then 
a  certain  sum,  calculating  the  principal  and  interest  of  his  debt 
to  Colonel  Effingham,  was  to  be  paid  to  the  heirs-at-law  of  the 
Effingham  family,  -and  the  bulk  ot  his  estate  was  to  be  conveyed 
in  fee  to  his  daughter  or  her  heirs. 

The  tears  fell  from  the  eyes  of  the  young  man  as  he  read  this 
undeniable  testimony  of  the  good  faith  of  Marmaduke,  and  his 
bewildered  gaze  was  still  fastened  on  the  paper,  when  a  voice 
that  thrilled  on  every  nerve  spoke,  near  him,  saying, — 

"  Do  you  yet  doubt  us,  Oliver  ? " 

" I  have  never  doubted  you  I"  cried  the  youth,  recovering  his 
recollection  and  his  voice,  as  he  sprang  to  seize  the  hand  of 
Elizabeth ;  "  no,  not  one  moment  has  my  faith  in  you 
wavered." 

"And  my  father"— 

"God  bless  him!" 

"I  thank  thee,  my  Ron,"  Baid  the  Judge,  exchanging  a  warm 
pressure  of  the  hand  with  the  youth  ;  "  but  we  have  both  erred  j 
thou  hast  been  too  hasty,  and  1  have  been  too  slow.  One  half  of 
my  estates  shall  b«  thine  as  soon  as  they  can  be  conveyed  to 
thee  ;  and  if  what  my  suspicions  tell  me  bs  true,  I  suppose  the 
other  must  follow  speedily."  He  took  the  hand  which  he  held. 


THE  PIONEERS.  37o 

and  united  it  with  that  of  hia  daughter,  and  motioned  towards 
the  door  to  the  Major. 

I  t&lt  you  vat,  gal  I  eaid  the  old  German,  good  humouredly ; 
"  if  I  vast,  as  I  vast  ven  I  servit  mit  his  grantfader  on  ter  lakes, 
tor  '  ouln't  vin  ter  prize  as  for  nottin." 

come,  old  Fritz,"  said  the  Judge  ;  "  you  are  seventy, 
j  ventcea ;  Eichard  waits  for  you  with  a  bowl  of  egg-nog  in 
talL" 

:rt  I  ter  duyvel  1"  exclaimed  the  other,  hastening  out  of 
io  roo:a  :  "be  makes  ter  nog  ast  for  ter  horse.    I  vilt  show  ter 
;;  nit  ray  own  hants  1    Ter  duyvel !    I  pelieve  he  sweetens 
.  Yankee  melasses  ! " 

M&rmadake  smiled  and  nodded  affectionately  at  the  young 
.3,  and  closed  the  door  after  them.  If  any  of  our  readers 
t  that  we  are  going  to  open  it  again,  for  their  gratification, 
are  mistaken. 

The  tete-a-tSte  continued  for  a  very  unreasonable  time  ;  how 
long  we  shall  not  say ;  but  it  was  ended  by  six  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  for  at  that  hour  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  made  his  appearance, 
agreeably  to  the  appointment  of  the  preceding  day,  and  claimed 
the  ear  of  Mies  Temple.  He  was  admitted  ;  when  he  made  an 
of  his  hand,  with  much  suavity,  together  with  IMS  "  amis 
bcsg  and  leet^,  his  pere,  his  mere,  and  his  eucre-boosh."  Elizabeth 
might  possibly  have  previously  entered  into  some  embarrassing 
asid  binding  engagements  with  Oliver,  for  she  declined  the  tender 
'of  all,  in  terms  as  polite,  though  perhaps  a  little  more  decided, 
L  those  in  which  they  were  made. 

Frenchman  soon  joined  the  German  and  the  Sheriff  in  the 
hall,  vho  compelled  him  to  take  a  seat  with  them  at  the  table, 
where,  by  the  aid  of  punch,  wine,  and  egg-nog,  they  soon  ex- 
tracted from  th&  complaisant  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  the  nature  of 
hi?  visit.    It  was  evident  that  he  had  made  the  offer  as  a  duty 
i  a  well-bred  man  owed  to  a  lady  in  such  a  retired  place, 
..  he  left  the  country,  and  that  his  feelings  were  but  very 
if  at  alL  interested  in  the  matter.    After  a  few  potations 
ii  pair  persuaded  the  exhilarated  Frenchman  that  there 
.d  inexcusable  partiality  in  offering  to  one  lady,  and  not  ex- 
:•!  a  similar  courtesy  to  another.    Consequently,  about  nine, 
Ls  Quoi  sallied  forth  to  the  rectory  on  a  similar  mission 
:  3  Grant,  which  proved  as  successful  as  his  first  effort  in  love. 
When  he  returned  to  the  Mansion-house  at  ten,  Richard  and 
the  Major  were  still  seated  at  the  table.    They  attempted  to  per- 
suade the  Gaul,  as  the  Sheriff  called  him,  that  he  should  next 
try  Eemarkable  Pettibone.    But,  though  stimulated  by  mental 
excitement  and  wine,  two  hours  of  abstruse  logic  were  thrown 
away  on   this  subject ;   for  he  declined  their  advice  with  a 
pertinacity  truly  astonishing  in  so  polite  a  man. 


.'.,«  THE  PIONEERS. 

When  Benjamin  lighted  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  from  the  door,  ha 
said,  at  parting, — 

"If  so  be,  Mounsheer,  you'd  run  alongside  Mistress  Pretty- 
bones,  as  the  Squire  Dickens  was  bidding  ye,  'tis  my  notion  you'd 
have  been  grappled  ;  in  which  case,  d'ye  see,  you  mought  have 
been  troubled  in  swinging  clear  again  in  a  handsome  manner  ; 
for  thof  Miss  'Lizzy  and  the  parson's  young  'un  be  tidy  little 
vessels,  that  shoot  by  a  body  on  a  wind,  Mistress  Remarkable  is 
t iim'mat  of  a  galliot  fashion  ;  when  you  cnce  takes  'em  in  wv, 
they  ckesn't  lite  to  be  cast  off  again." 


CHAPTER    XL1 

<  Tee,  gweep  ye  on  I— We  V  Jl  not  lea  vo, 
For  them  who  triumph,  those  who  grlinw. 

With  that  armada  gay 
Be  laughter  loud,  and  jocund  shout—  \ 

—But  with  that  skiff 
Abides  the  minstrel  tale.  Lord  of  At  ZiUcX    -, 

'Ito!  events  of  our  tale  carry  us  through  the  summer  ;  and,  after'  ( 
making  nearly  the   circle  of  the   year,  we  must  conclude  our  ' 
labours  in  the  delightful  month   of   October.     Many  important  • 
incidents  had;  however,  occurred    in  the  intervening  period  ;  a 
few  of  which  it  may  be  necessary  to  recount. 

The  two  principal  were,  the  marriage  of  Oliver  and  Elizabeth, 
and  the  death  of  Major  Lffingharn.  They  both  took  place  early 
in  September ;  and  the  former  preceded  the  latter  only  a  few 
days.  The  old  man  passed  away  like  the  last  glimmering  of  a 
taper  ;  and  though  his  death  |  cast  a  melancholy  over  the  family, 
grief  could  not  follow  such  an  end. 

One  of  the  chief  concerns  of  Marmaduke  was  to  reconcile  the 
even  conduct  of  a  magistrate  with  the  course  that  his  feelings 
dictated  to  the  criminals.  The  day  succeeding  the  discovery  at- 
the  cave,  however,  Natty  and  Benjamin  re-entered  the  gaol  peace- 
ably, where  they  continued,  well  fed  and  comfortable,  until  the 
return  of  an  express  to  Albany,  who  brought  the  Governor's 
pardon  to  the  Leather-stocking.  In  the  meantime  proper  means 
were  employed  to  satisfy  Hiram  for  the  assaults  on  his  person ; 
and  on  the  same  day  the  two  comrades  issued  together  into 
society  again  with  their  characters  not  at  all  affected  by  the 
imprisonment. 

Mr.  Doolittle  began  to  discover  that  neither  his  architecture 
nor  his  law  was  quite  suitable  to  the  growing  wealth  and  in- 
telligence of  the  settlement ;  and,  after  exacting  the  last  cent l 
that  was  attainable  in  his  compromises,  to  use  the  language  of 
the  country,  he  "  pulled  up  stakes,"  and  proceeded  farther  west, 
scattering  his  professional  science  and  legal  learning  through  the 
land  ;  vestiges  of  both  of  which  are  to  be  discovered  there  even 
to  the  present  hour. 

Poor  •JothanL  whose  life  paid  the  forfeiture  of  his  folly,  ac- 
knowledged before  he  died  that  his  reasons  for  believing  m  a 

VH 


378  THE  PIONEERS. 

mine  were  extracted  from  the  lips  of  a  sibyi,  who,  by  looking 
iii  a  magic  glass,  was  enabled  to  discover  the  hidden  treasures  of 
the  earth.  Such  superstition  was  frequent  in  the  new  settle- 
ments ;  and  after  the  first  surprise  was  over,  the  better  part  of 
the  community  forgot  the  subject.  But,  at  the  same  time  that 
it  removed  from  the  breast  ot  Richard  a  lingering  suspicion  of 
the  acts  of  the  three  hunters,  it  conveyed  a  mortifying  lesson  to 
him,  which  brought  many  quiet  hours,  in  future,  to  his  cousin 
Marmaduke.  It  may  be  remembered  that  the  Sheriff  confidently 
pronounced  this  to  be  no  "visionary"  scheme,  and  that  word 
was  enough  to  shut  his  lips  at  any  time  within  the  next  ten 
years. 

"Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  who  has  been  introduced  to  our  readers, 
oecause  no  picture  of  that  country  would  be  faithful  without 
some  such  character,  found  the  island  of  Martinique,  and  his 
"  sucre-boosh,"  in  possession  of  the  English  ;  but  Marmaduke 
and  his  family  were  much  gratified  in  soon  hearing  that  he  had 
returned  to  his  bureau  in  Paris,  where  he  afterwards  issued 
yearly  bulletins  of  his  happiness,  and  of  his  gratitude  to  his 
friends  in  America. 

With  this  brief  explanation,  we  must  return  to  our  narrative. 
— Let  the  American  reader  imagine  one  of  our  mildest  October 
mornings,  when  the  sun  seems  a  ball  of  silvery  fire,  and  the 
elasticity  of  the  air  is  felt  while  it  is  inhaled  ;  imparting  vigour 
and  life  to  the  whole  system ;— the  weather,  neither  too  warm 
nor  too  cold,  but  of  that  happy  temperature  which  stirs  the 
blood  without  bringing  the  lassitude  of  spring? 

It  was  on  such  a  morning,  about  the  middle  of  the  month, 
that  Oliver  entered  the  hall,  where  Elizabeth  .was  issuing  her 
usual  orders  for  the'  day,  and  requested  iher  to  join  him  in  a 
short  excursion  to  the  lake  side.  The  tender  melancholy  in  the 
manner  of  her  husband  caught  the  attention  of  Elizabeth,  who 
instantly  abandoned  her  concerns,  threw  a  light  shawl  across  her 
shoulders,  and  concealing  her  raven  hair  under  a  gipsy,  she  took 
his  arm,  and  submitted  herself,  without  a  question,  to  his 
guidance.  They  crossed  the  bridge,  and  had  turned  from  the 
Highway,  along  the  margin  of  the  lake,  before  a  word  was  ex- 
changed. Elizabeth  well  knew,  by  the  direction,  the  object 
of  the  walk,  and  respected  the  feelings  of  her  companion  too 
much  to  indulge  in  untimely  conversation.  But  when  they 
gained  the  open  fields,  and  her  eye  roamed  over  the  placid  lake, 
covered  witn  wild  fowl,  already  journeying  from  the  great 
northern  waters  to  seek  a  wanner  sun,  but  lingering  to  play  in 
the  limpid  sheet  of  the  Otsego,  and  to  the  aides  of  the  mountain, 
which  were  gay  with  the  thousand  dyes  of  autumn,  as  if  to  grace 
their  bridal,  the  swelling  heart  of  the  young  wife  burst  out  in 
speech. 


THE  PIONEERS.  379 

This  is  not  a  time  for  silence,  Oliver ! "  she  said,  clinging 
more  fondly  to  his  arm  ;  "  everything  in  nature  seems  to  speak 
the  praises  of  the  Creator ;  why  should  we,  who  have  BO  much  to 
be  grateful  for,  be  silent  ? " 

"  Speak  on  1 "  said  her  husband,  smiling ;  "  I  love  the  sounds 
of  your  voice.  You  must  anticipate  our  errand  hither :  I  have 
told  you  my  plans' ;  how  do  you  like  them  ?" 

"  I  must  first  see  them,"  returned  his  wife.  "  But  I  hi.ve  had 
my  plans  too  ;  it  is  time  I  should  begin  to  divulge  them." 

"  You  1  It  is  something  for  the  comfort  of  my  old  friend  Natty, 
I  know."  > 

"  Certainly  of  Natty ;  but  we  have  other  friends  besides  the 
Leather  -  stocking  to*  serve.  Do  you  forget  Louisa,  and  her 
father?" 

"  No,  surely ;  have  I  not  given  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the 
county  to  the  good  divine  ?  As  for  Louisa,  I  should  wish  you  to 
keep  her  always  near  us." 

"You  do,"  said  Elizabeth,  slightly  compressing  her  rips ;  "  but 
j>oor  Louisa  may  have  other  views  for  herself ;  she  may  wish  to 
lollow  my  example,  and  marry." 

"I  don't  think  it,"  said  Effingham,  musing  a  moment;  "I 
really  doa't  know  any  one  hereabouts  good  enough  for  her." 

"  Perhaps  not  here ;  but  there  are  other  places  besides  Temple- 
ton,  and  other  churches  besides  '  New  St.  Paul's.' " 

"  Churches,  Elizabeth  I  you  would  not  wish  to  lose  Mr.  Grant, 
surely  1  Though  simple,  he  is  an  excellent  man.  I  shall  never 
find  another  who  has  half  the  veneration  for  my  orthodoxy. 
You  would  humble  me  from  a  saint  to  a  very  common  sinner." 

"  It  must  be  done,  sir,"  returned  the  lady,  with  a  half- 
concealed  smile,  "though  it  degrades  you  from  an  angel  to  a 
man." 

"  But  you  forget  the  farm." 

"  He  can  lease  it,  as  others  do.  Besides,  would  you  have  a 
clergyman  toil  in  the  fields  ? " 

"Where  can  he  go  1  you  forget  Louisa." 

"  No,  I  do  not  forget  Louisa,"  said  Elizabeth,  again  compress- 
ing her  beautiful  lips.  u  You  know,  Effingham,  that  iny  father 
has  told  you  that  I  ruled  him,  and  that  I  should  rule  you.  I 
am  now  about  to  exert  my  power." 

"  Anything,  anything,  dear  Elizabeth,  but  not  atrthe  expense 
of  us  aU ;  not  at  the  expense  of  your  friend." 

"  How  do  you  know,  sir,  that  it  will  be  so  much  at  the  ex- 
pense of  my  friend  1"  said  the  lady,  fixing  her  eyes  with  a 
searching  look  on  his  countenance,  where  they  met  only  the 
unsuspecting  expression  of  manly  regret. 

"  How  do  I  know  it  ?  why,  it  is  natural  that  she  should  regret 
us." 


180  .  AOL*  PIONEERS. 

K  It  is  our  duty  to  struggle  with  our  natural  feelings,*  returned 
the  lady  ;  "and  there  ia  but  little  causa  to  fear  that  such  a  spirit 
u  Louisa's  will  not  effect  it" 

"  But  what  is  your  plan  I ' 

«  Listen,  and  you  snail  know.  My  lather  has  procured  a  «aB 
for  Mr.  Grant,  to  one  of  the  towns  on  the  Hudson,  where  ho  caa 
live  more  at  his  ease  than  in  journeying  through  these  woods ; 
where  he  can  spend  the  evening  of  his  life  in  comfort  and  quiet ; 
and  where  his  daughter  may  meet  with  such  society,  and  form 
such  a  connection,  as  may  be  proper  for  one  of  her  years  and 
character." 

"  Bess  I  you  amaze  me  I  I  did  not  think  you  had  been  such  a 
manager! 

"  Oh  I  I  manage  more  deeply  than  you  imagine,  sir,"  said  the 
wife,  archly  smiling  again ;  "  but  it  is  my  will,  and  it  is  youx 
duty  to  submit, — for  a  time  at  least." 

Effingham  laughed  ;  but  as  they  approached  the  end  of  theii 
walk,  the  subject  was  changed  by  common  consent. 

The  place  at  which  they  arrived  was  the  little  spot  of  level 
ground  where  the  cabin  of  the  Leather-stocking  had  so  -Ion  a 
stood.  Elizabeth  found  it  entirely  cleared  of  rubbish,  and 
beautifully  laid  down  in  turf,  by  the  removal  of  sods,  which  ia 
common  with  the  surrounding  country,  had  grown  gay  undei 
the  influence  of  profuse  showers,  as  if  a  second  spring  had  passed 
over  the  land.  This  little  place  was  surrounded  by  a  circle  of 
mason-work,  and  they  entered  by  a  small  gate,  near  which,  to 
the  surprise  of  both,  the  rifle  of  Natty  was  leaning  against  the 
wall  Hector  and  the  slut  reposed  on  the  grass  by  its  side,  as  if 
conscious  that,  however  altered,  they  were  lying  on  ground  and 
were  surrounded  by  objects  with  which  they  were  familiar. 
The  hunter  himself  was  stretched  on  the  earth,  before  a  head- 
stone of  white  marble,  pushing  aside  with  his  fingers  the  Ions 
grass  that  had  already  sprung  up  from  the  luxuriant  soil  around 
its  base,  apparently  to  lay  bare  the  inscription.  By  the  side  of 
this  stone,  which  was  a  simple  slab  at  the  head  of  a  grave,  stood  ' 
a  rich  monument,  decorated  with  an  urn,  and  ornamented  with  j 
the  chisel. 

Oliver  and  Elizabeth  approached  the  graves  with  a  light 
tread,  unheard  by  the  old  hunter,  whose  sun -burnt  face  was 
working,  and  whose  eyes  twinkled  as  if  something  impeded  their 
vision.  After  some  little  time,  Natty  raised  himself  &k>wly  from 
the  ground,  and  said  aloud, — 

"Well,  well — I'm  bold  to  say  it's  all  right!  The*V«  some- 
thing that  I  suppose  is  reading ;  but  I  cant  make  anything  of 
it ;  though  the  pipe  and  the  tomahawk,  and  the  mocassins,  be 
pretty  well — pretty  well,  for  a  man  that,  I  dares  to  say,  neve; 
seed  ither  of  the  things.  Ah's  me  1  there  they  lie.  sid*  by  ei  • 


THE  PIONEERS.  381 

happy  enough  1    Who  will  there  be  to  put  m«  in  the  'arth,  whan 
my  time  comes  ? " 

"  When  that  unfortunate  hour  arrives^  Natty,  friends  shall  not 
be  wanting  to  perform  the  last  offices  for  you,"  said  Oliver,  a 
little  touched  at  the  hunter's  soliloquy. 

The  old  man  turned,  without  manifesting  surprise,  for  he  had 
got  the  Indian  habits  in  this  particular,  and  running  his  hand 
under  the  bottom  of  his  nose,  seemed  to  wipe  away  his  sorrow 
with  the  action. 

"  You've  come  out  to  see  the  graves,  childreri^have  ye  t "  he 
said  ;  "  well,  well,  they're  wholesome  sights  to  young  as  well  as 
old." 

"  I  hope  they  are  fitted  to  your  liking,"  said  Effingham ;  "  no 
one  has  a  better  right  than  yourself  to  be  consulted  in  the  matter." 

"  Why,  seeing  that  I  an't'  used  to  fine  graves,"  returned  the 
old  man,  "  it  is  but  little  matter  consarning  my  taste.  Ye  laid 
the  Major's  head  to  the  west,  and  Moheean's  to  the  east,  did  ye. 
lad?" 

"At  your  request  it  was  done." 

"It's  so  best,"  said  the  hunter;  "they  thought  they  had  to 
journey  different  ways,  children  ;  though  there  is  One  greater 
than  all,  who'll  bring  the  just  together,  at  His  own  tiuxe;  and 
who'll  whiten  the  skin  of  a  black-moor,  and  place  him  o£*ft 
footing  with  princes." 

"  There  is  but  little  reason  to  doubt  that,"  said  Elizabeth, 
whose  decided  tones  were  changed  to  a  soft,  melancholy  voice ; 
"  I  trust  we  shall  all  meet  again,  and  be  happy  together. 

"  Shall  we,  child  ?  shall  we  ? "  exclaimed  the  hunter,  with  un- 
usual fervour ;  "  there's  comfort  in  that  thought  too.  But  before 
I  go,  I  should  like  to  know  what  'tis  you  tell  these  people,  that 
be  flocking  into  the  country  like  pigeons  in  the  spring,  of  the 
old  Delaware,  and  of  the  bravest  white  man  that  ever  trod  the 
hills." 

Effingham  and  Elizabeth  were  surprised  at  the  manner  of  the 
Leather-stocking,  which  was  unusually  impressive  and  solemn  ; 
but,  attributing  it  to  the  scene,  the  young  man  turned  to  the 
monument,  and  read  aloud, — 

"'Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Oliver  Effingham,  Esquire, 
formerly  a  Major  in  his  B.  Majesty's  60th  Foot ;  a  soldier  of 
tried  valour ;  a  subject  of  chivalrous  loyalty ;  and  a  man  of 
honesty.  To  these  virtues  he  added  the  graces  of  a  Christian, 
The  morning  of  his  life  was  spent  in  honour,  wealth,  and  power, 
but  its  evening  was  obscured  by  poverty,  neglect,  and  disease 
which  were  alleviated  only  by  the  tender  care  of  his  old,  faithful, 
and  upright  friend  and  attendant,  Nathaniel  Bumppo.  H2> 
descendants  rear  this  stone  to  the  virtues  of  the  master,  and  to 
the  enduring  gratitude  of  the  servant' " 


382  THE  PIONKER& 


The  I*ather-6tocking  stared  at  the  sound  of  his  own  name, 
and  a  SlTof^mwxined  his  wrinkled  features,  as   be 

"And  did  ye  say  it,  lad?  have  you  then  got  the  old  man's 
name  cut  in  the  stone,  by  the  side  of  his  master's?    God  bless 
ye,  children  !  'twas  a  kind  thought,  and  kindness  goes  to  t 
heart  as  life  shortens." 

Elizabeth  turned  her  bacTic  to  the  speakers  Emngham  made  a 
fruitless  effort  before  he  succeeded  m  saying,— 

"It  is  there  cut  in  plain  marble  ;  but  it  should  have  been 
mitten  in  letters  of  gold  !  " 

"  Show  me  the  name,  boy,"  said  Natty,  with  simple  eagerness  ; 
"let  me  see  my  own  name  placed  in  such  honour.  Tis  a 
gin'rous  gift  to  a  man  who  leaves  none  of  his  name  and  family 
behind  him,  in  a  country  where  he  has  tarried  BO  long." 

Emngham  guided  his  finger  to  the  spot,  and  Natty  followed 
the  windings  of  the  letters  to  the  end  with  deep  interest,  when 
lie  raised  himself  from  the  tomb,  and  said,  — 

"  I  suppose  it's  all  right,  and  it'a  kindly  thought,  and  kindly 
Jone  !  But  what  have  ye  put  over  the  redskin  ?  " 

"  You  shall  hear,  — 

"  '  This  stone  is  raised  to  the  memory  of  an  Indian  Chief,  of 
the  Delaware  tribe,  who  was  known  by  the  several  names  of 
John  Mohegan  ;  Mohican  '  "  — 

"  Mo-hee-can,  lad,  they  call  theirselves  !  Tie-can." 

"  *  Mohican  ;  and  Chingagook  '  "  — 

"  'Qach,  boy  ;  —  'gach-gook  ;  Chingachgook,  which,  intarpreted, 
means  Big-sarpent.  The  name  should  be  set  down  right,  for  an 
Indian's  name  haa  always  some  meaning  in  it." 

*!  will  see  it  altered.  'He  was  the  last  of  his  people  who 
continued  to  inhabit  this  country  ;  and  it  may  be  said  of  him, 
that  his  faults  were  those  of  an  Indian,  and  his  virtues  those  of 
a  man.'  " 

"  You  never  said  truer  word,  Mr.  Oliver  ;  ah's  me  !  if  you  had 
know'd  him  as  I  did,  in  his  prime,  in  that  very  battle  where 
the  old  gentleman,  v/ho  sleeps  by  his  side,  saved  his  life,  when 
them  thieves,  the  Iroquois,  had  him  at  the  stake,  you'd  have 
'  paid  all  that,  and  more  too.  I  cut  the  thongs  \vith  this  very 
hand,  and  gave  him  my  own  tomahawk  and  knife,  seeing  that 
the  rifle  was  always  my  fav'rite  weapon.  He  did  lay  about  him 
like  a  man  !  I  met  him  as  I  was  coming  home  from  the  trail, 
with  eleven  Mingo  scalps  on  his  pole.  You  needn't  shudder, 
Madam  Effmgham,  for  they  was  all  from  shaved  heads  and 
warriors.  When  I  look  about  me,  at  these  hills,  where  I  used  to 
could  count  sometimes  twenty  smokes,  curling  over  the  tree-tops, 
from  the  Delaware  camps,  it  raises  mournful  thoughts  to  think, 
that  not  a  redskin  is  left  of  them  all  ;  unless  it  may  be  a 


THE  PIONEERS.  883 

* 

drunken  vagabond  from  the  Oneidas,  or  them  Yankee  Indians, 
who,  they  say,  be  moving  up  from  the  sea-shore  5  and  who  belong 
to  none  of  God's  creators,  to  my  seeming,  being,  as  it  were, 
neither  fish  nor  flesh — neither  white  man  nor  savage.  Well, 
«vell !  the  time  has  come  at  last,  and  I  must  go  " — 

"Go  !"  echoed  Edwards,  "whither  do  you  go?" 

The  Leather-stocking,  who  had  imbibed,  unconsciously,  many 
of  the  Indian  qualities,  though  he  always  thought  of  himself  as 
of  a  civilised  being  compared  with  even  the  Delawares,  averted 
his  face  to  conceal  the  workings  of  his  muscles,  as  he  stooped  to 
lift  a  large  pack  from  behind  the  tomb,  which  he  placed  deliber- 
ately on  his  shoulders. 

"Go!"  exclaimed  Elizabeth,  approaching  him  with  a  hurvied 
step  ;  "  you  should  not  venture  so  far  in  the  woods  alone  at  your 
time  of  life,  Natty  ;  indeed,  it  is  imprudent.  He  is  bent,  Effing- 
ham,  on  some  distant  hunting." 

"What  Mrs.  Effingham  tells  you  is  true,  Leather-stocking," 
said  Edwards ;  "  there  can  be  no  necessity  for  your  submitting 
to  such  hardships  now  !  So  throw  aside  your  pack,  and  confine 
your  hunt  to  the  mountains  near  us,  if  you  will  go." 

"  Hardship !  'tis  a  pleasure,  children,  and  the  greatest  that  is 
left  me  on  this  side  the  grave." 

"No,  no ;  you  shall  not  go  to  such  a  distance," cried  Elizabeth, 
laying  her  white  hand  on  his  deer-skin  pack. — "  I  am  right !  I 
feel  his  camp-kettle,  and  a  canister  of  powJer  1  he  must  not  be 
suffered  to  wander  so  far  from  us,  Oliver  ;  remember  how  suddenly 
Mohegan  dropped  away." 

"  I  know'd  the  parting  would  come  hard,  children  ;  I  know'd 
it  would  !"  said  ftatty,  "and  so  I  got  aside  ?.o  look  at  th«  graves 
by  myself,  and  thought  if  I  left  ye  the  keop-sake  which  the 
Major  gave  me,  when  we  first  parted  in  the  woods,  ye  wouldn't 
take  it  unkind,  but  would  know  that,  let  the  old  man's  body  go 
where  it  might,  his  feelings  stayed  behind  him.'* 

"This  means  something  more  than  common  f"  exclaimed  the 
youth  ;  "  where  is  it,  Natty,  that  you  purpose  going  ?  " 

The  hunter  drew  nigh  him  with  a  confident,  reasonipg  air,  as 
if  what  he  had  to  say  would  silence  all  objections,  and  replied, — 

"  Why,  lad,  they  tell  me,  that  on  the  Big-lakes  there'e  the  best 
of  hunting,  and  a  great  range,  without  a  white  man  on  if,  unless 
it  may  be  one  like  myself.  I'm  weary  of  living  in  dealings,  and 
where  the  hammer  is  sounding  in  my  ears  from  sunrise  to  sun- 
down. And  though  I'm  much  bound  to  ye  both,  children — I 
wouldn't  say  it  if  it  was  not  true — I  crave  to  go  into  the  woods, 
ag'in,  I  do." 

"  Woods  1 "  echoed  Elizabeth,  trembling  with  her  feelings ; 
"do  you  not  call  these  endless  forests  woods  ?" 

"  Ah,  child,  these  be  nothing  to  a  man  that's  used  to  the  vilder- 


38*  THE  PIONEERS. 

ness.  I  hay«  took  but  little  comfort  sin'  your  father  come  on 
with  hw  settlers ;  but  I  wouldn't  go  far,  while  the  lif«  was  in 
the  body  that  lies  under  the  sod  there.  Eut  now  he's  gone,  and 
Chingachgook  is  gone  ;  and  you  be  both  young  and  happy.  Yes  ! 
the  big  house  has  rung  with  merriment  this  month  past  1  Anc 
now,  I  thought,  was  the  time  to  try  to  get  a  little  comfort  in  the 
close  of  my  days.  Woods  !  indeed  1  I  doesn't  call  these  woods. 
Madam  Effingham,  where  I  lose  myself,  every  day  of  my  life,  ir. 
the  clearings. 

"  If  there  be  anything  wanting  to  your  comfort,  name  it, 
Leather-stocking  ;  if  it  be  attainable,  it  is  yours." 

"  You  mean  all  for  the  best,  lad  ,  I  know  it ;  and  so  does 
Madam,  too :  but  your  ways  isn't  my  ways.  ;Tis  like  the  dead 
there,  who  thought,  when  the  breath  was  in  them,  that  one  went 
east  and  one  went  west  to  find  their  heavens ;  but  they'll  met* 
at  last ;  and  so  shall  we,  children.  Yes,  ind  as  you've  b«gnn,  an<^ 
we  shall  meet  in  the  land  of  the  just  at  last." 

"  This  is  so  new  1  so  unexpected  1 "  said  Elizabeth,  in  almost 
breathless  excitement ;  "  I  had  thought  you  meant  to  live  with 
us,  and  die  with  us,  Natty." 

u  Words  are  of  no  avail,"  exclaimed  her  husband  ;  "  the  habits 
of  forty  years  are  not  to  be  dispossessed  by  the  ties  of  a  day. 
know  you  too  well  to  urge  you  further,  Natty  ;  unless  you  will 
let  me  build  you  a  hut.  on  one  of  the  distant  hills,  where  we  can 
sometimes  see  you,  and  know  that  you  are  comfortable." 

"  Don't  fear  the  Leather-stocking,  children  ;  God  will  see  that 
his  days  be  provided  for,  and  his  ind  happy.  I  know  you  mean 
all  for  the  best,  but  our  ways  doesn't  agree.  I  love  the  woods, 
and  ye  relish  the  face  of  man ;  I  eat  wien  hungry,  and  drink 
when  a-dry.  and  ye  keep  stated  hours  and  rules  ;  nay,  nay,  you 
even  over-feed  the  doys,  lad,  from  pure  kindness  ;  and  hounds 
should  be  gaunty  to  run  well.  The  meanest  of  God's  creaters  be 
made  for  some  use,  and  I'm  form'd  for  the  wilderness ;  if  ye  love 
me,  let  me  go  where  my  soul  craves  to  be  ag*in  t " 

The  appeal  was  decisive,  and  not  another  word  of  entreaty 
for  him  to  remain  \ras  then  uttered ;  but  Elizabeth  bent  her 
head  to  hej  bosom  and  wept,  while  her  husband  dashed  away  the 
tears  from  his  eyes,  and,  with  hands  that  almost  refused  to  per- 
form their  office,  he  produced  his  pocket-book,  and  extended  a 
parcel  of  bank-notes  to  the  hunter. 

"Take  these,"  he  said,  "at  least,  take  these;  secure  therr, 
about  your  person,  and  in  tho  hour  of  need  they  will  do  yc  : 
good  service. 

The  old  man  took  the  notes,  and  examined  them  with  a  curie . 
eye. 

"  This,  then,  is  some  of  the  new-fashioned  money  that  they've 
been  making  at  Albany,  out  of  paper  I  It  can't  be  worth  much 


THE  PIONEERS,  385 

to  they  that  hasn't  laming !  No,  no,  lad— take  back  the  etuff ; 
it  will  do  me  no  sarvice.  I  took  kear  to  get  all  the  French- 
man's powder  afore  he  broke  up,  and  they  say  lead  grows  where 
I'm  going.  It  isn't  even  fit  for  wads,  seeing  that  I  use  none  but 
leather  1 — Madam  Emngham,  let  an  old  man  kiss  your  hand,  and 
wish  God's  choicest  blessings  on  you  aud  your'n." 

"  Once  more  let  me  beseech  you,  stay  ! "  cried  Elizabeth.  "  Do 
not,  Leather-stocking,  leave  me  to  grieve  for  the  man  who  has 
twice  rescued  me  from  death,  and  who  has  served  those  I  love  so 
faithfully.  For  my  sake,  if  not  for  your  own,  stay.  I  shall  see 
you  in  those  frightful  dreams  that  still  haunt  my  nights,  dying 
in  poverty  and  age,  by  the  side  of  those  terrific  beasts  you  slew. 
There  will  be  no  evil  that  sickness,  want,  and  solitude  can  inflict, 
that  my  fancy  will  not  conjure  as  your  fate.  Stay  with  us,  old 
man  ;  if  not  for  your  own  sake,  at  least  for  ours." 

"Such  thoughts  and  bitter  dreams,  Madam  Effingham,"  re- 
turned the  hunter  solemnly,  "will  never  haunt  an  innocenfc 
parson  long.  They'll  pass  away  with  God's  pleasure.  And  «if 
the  cat-a-mounts  be  yet  brought  to  your  eyes  in  sleep,  'tis  not 
for  my  sake,  but  to  show  you  the  powet  of  Him  that  led  me 
there  to  save  you.  Trust  in  God,  Madam,  and  your  honourable 
husband,  and  the  thoughts  for  an  old  man  like  me  can  never  be 
long  nor  bitter.  I  pray  that  the  Lord  will  keep  you  in  mind — 
the  Lord  that  lives  in  clearings  as  well  as  in  the  wilderness — and 
bless  you,  and  all  that  belong  to  you,  from  this  time  till  the 
great  day  when 'the  whites  shall  meet  the  redskins  in  judgment, 
and  justice  shall  be  the  law,  and  not  power." 

Elizabeth  raised  her  head,  and  offered  her  colourless  cheek  to 
his  salute,  when  he  lifted  his  cap,  and  touched  it  respectfully. 
His  hand  was  grasped  with  convulsive  fervour  by  the  youth., 
who  continued  silent.  The  hunter  prepared  himself  for  his 
journey,  drawing  his  belt  tighter,  and  wasting  his  moments  in 
the  little  reluctant  movements  of  a  sorrowful  departure.  Once 
or  twice  he  essayed  to  speak,  but  a  rising  in  his  throat  prevented 
it.  At  length  he  shouldered  his  rifle,  and  cried  with  a  clear 
huntsman's  call,  that  echoed  through  the  woods,— 

"  He-e-e-re,  he-e-e-re,  pups  —  away,  dogs,  away ;  —  yell  be 
footsore  afore  ye  see  the  ind  of  the  journey. 

The  hounds  leaped  from  the  earth  at  this  cry,  and,  scenting 
around  the  graves  and  the  silent  pair,  as  if  conscious  of  their 
own  destination,  -they  followed  humbly  at  the  heels  of  their 
master.  A  short  pause  succeeded,  during  which  even  the  youth 
concealed  his  face  on  his  grandfather's  tomb:  When  the  pride 
of  manhood,  however,  had  suppressed  the  feelings  of  nature,  he 
turned  to  renew  his  entreaties,  but  saw  that  the  cemetery  was 
occupied  only  by  himself  and  his  wife. 

"  He  is  gone  1 "  cried  Effingham. 


886  THE  PIONEERS. 

Elizabeth  raised  her  face,  and  saw  the  old  hunter  standing 
looking  back  for  a  moment,  on  the  verge  of  the  wood.  As  he 
caught  their  glances,  he  drew  his  hard  hand  hastily  across  his 
eyes  again,  waved  it  on  high  for  an  adieu,  and,  uttering  a  forced 
cry  to  his  dogs,  who  were  crouching  at  his  feet,  he  entered  the 
forest. 

This  was  the  last  that  they  ever  saw  of  the  Leather-stocking, 
whose  rapid  movements  preceded  the  pursuit  which  Judge 
Temple  both  ordered  and  conducted.  He  had  gone  far  towards 
the  setting  sun,  —  the  foremost  in  that  band  of  Pioneers  who 
are  opening  the  way  for  the  march  of  the  nation  across  the 

' 


.  '  K.    .     . 


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